Buying guide for best water blasters
Imagine the scene: you’re deep into a water blaster battle, you’ve lined up your target and you pull the trigger, only to find your blaster has run out of water or the stream doesn’t reach far enough. The wrong water blaster can turn a water battle from fun to frustrating and leave you in line for a soaking. Not all water blasters are created equal, and enthusiasts know that the right features can make all the difference to scoring a victory.
When choosing a water blaster, range and accuracy are key. A powerful pump mechanism or motor ensures that your opponents are drenched from a distance, giving you the upper hand in any aquatic showdown. What’s more, a sizable water reservoir is essential, letting you engage in extended play without stopping for constant refills at the hose or faucet. Large water blasters are often more powerful and have bigger reservoirs but can be heavy and unwieldy, so you may need to make a compromise.
Whether you're seeking a water blaster for epic battles or simply yearning for a playful way to beat the heat, it’s important to choose the right model. After researching dozens of water blasters, we found the Team Magnus The Incog Water Blaster to be the absolute best, thanks to its powerful pump action. It also has the advantage of stealth, since it doesn't obviously look like a water blaster, letting you sneak up on unsuspecting opponents.
Our list: The best water blasters
Our favorite of the dozens of water blasters we researched, this pump-action water blaster can spray water up to 32 feet, letting you soak your adversaries from a distance. It holds 40 ounces of water, so you won't need to refill it too often. It weighs just 6.4 ounces, making it light enough for kids to handle. It measures around 15 inches long, which is a good mid-size.
If you're looking for an affordable water blaster with an impressive range, you've met your match. This pump-action model sprays water up to an impressive 70 feet so you can hit your target from afar. It measures 17 inches long and weighs just 8.8 ounces. It doesn't have a tank, so it's best for playing in bodies of water, such as pools or lakes.
These pump-action blasters hold 35 ounces of water and can spray streams of up to 36 feet. With two in a pack, they're great for siblings or friends who want to play together. They measure almost 16 inches long and weigh around 14 ounces apiece; they're not too heavy or too light.
Another solid choice for groups to play together, this pack comes with three identical pump-action water blasters. They hold around 20 ounces of water in their tanks and spray as far as 32 feet. You can take around 60 sprays before you need to refill. At around 14 inches long and 7 ounces, they're small and light enough for most kids.
Fortnite fans will love this pump-action water blaster that's based on the blaster from the game. It's relatively compact, measuring around 16 inches. Due to its compact size, the tank is on the small side, which isn't the best for epic battles. However, it can fire around 30 times before it needs refilling. It has a 32-foot range.
This Spyra water blaster isn't the cheapest on the market, but its precision and impressive 50-foot maximum range makes it an excellent high-end choice. It's motorized, so you don't have to worry about pumping before you can pull the trigger, beating your challengers to the draw. It measures around 24 inches long and weighs 5 pounds, making it a formidable option. It holds around 20 ounces of water, which equals 22 blasts.
The medium Zuru X-Shot is 16 inches long and holds 24 ounces of water, while the large is 23 inches long and holds 30 ounces. Both have a 32-foot range, thanks to the powerful pump-action design. It has a fast-fill function that lets you refill it quickly by opening the reservoir and dunking it under the water.
These basic water blasters are small, light and great for young kids since there's no pumping involved. They're 7.5 inches long and hold around 7.5 ounces of water in their tank. Despite their compact design, they can still manage to spray water as far as 15 to 20 feet. They come in a pack of six.
If you're sick of having to regularly refill your water reservoir, this blaster's 84-ounce capacity will keep you going for some time. This pump-action soaker sprays water as far as 38 feet, which gives you an advantage over those with less powerful water blasters. It's fairly big, measuring 22 inches and weighing 1.4 pounds, but its bulk helps give this blaster its power. You can switch the nozzle between three spray modes.
You can spray water around 25 feet with this pump-action water blaster. It has a tank capacity of 65 ounces, so you won't need to stop to refill it regularly, potentially outlasting your opponents. At around 26 inches long and 1.8 pounds, it isn't suitable for little kids, but it packs a punch.
This motorized water blaster lets you take down the opposition without pausing to pump. It has a 26-foot range and holds around 11 ounces of water. It's around 15 inches long and weighs 1.3 pounds — it isn't excessively big or heavy for kids. It has a USB-rechargeable battery.
Types of water blasters
Squirt blasters
Squirt blasters are compact water blasters that squirt short streams of water when you pull the trigger. They're small and lightweight enough for younger children to use. They’re easy to operate and don’t require pumping or a battery. Since they tend to be inexpensive, they’re cheap enough for kids to buy themselves with pocket money.
Unfortunately,they usually aren’t very powerful and don't spray water far. They have small water reservoirs, meaning they need to be refilled often.
Pump-action water blasters
Pump-action water blasters require users to pump a lever before pulling the trigger. This diverts some of the water into a pressurized chamber, allowing it to be squirted out further and harder. They tend to be quite powerful and are capable of squirting a lot of water a long way. They don’t require batteries, so they won’t run out of juice.
On the downside, you can’t spray continuously with a pump-action water blaster, since you have to intermittently stop and pump again.
Motorized water blasters
Motorized water blasters have pumps that are powered by motors — users simply press a trigger to operate them. Since motorized water blasters are battery-operated, there’s no need to pump them. This means you don’t have to take a break from soaking your foes to pump, plus they’re generally easier to aim.
However, the fact that they’re battery-operated means motorized water blasters can run out of power at a crucial moment. They also tend to be slightly less powerful than pump-action water blasters, although newer models are catching up.
What to look for when buying a water blaster
Water capacity
The water capacity of a water blaster is how much water it can hold in its reservoir. The larger the water capacity, the less often you’ll have to fill up your water blaster, but the heavier it will be when full.
If you intend to have long, epic water battles, it makes sense to opt for a water blaster with the largest capacity possible. That way, you won’t have to keep taking breaks to refill the reservoir.
The smallest blasters often hold less than 3 ounces, whereas large soakers can hold 80 ounces or more. As a rule, pump-action water blasters tend to have larger water reservoirs than their motorized counterparts.
Size and weight
Check the physical dimensions of a water blaster, as well as its weight, and don’t forget to factor in the weight of the water in the reservoir, too. You should be able to find these details in the product specifications. It’s especially important to consider the size and weight of a water blaster that you’re buying for a child. If it’s too large and heavy for them to handle, it’s not much use.
Spray distance
Spray distance refers to the distance that a jet of water can spray from a water blaster. If your water blaster has a long spray distance, you don’t have to get too close to your opponents in a water blaster battle, giving you an advantage over those who have models with shorter spray distances. A basic squirt model may have a spray distance of under 10 feet, while the most powerful water blasters can discharge water over 50 feet.
Most manufacturers list the spray distance of their water blasters in the product specifications. While it’s not the only important feature, if we were stuck between two water blaster we liked, we’d opt for the one with the more impressive spray distance.
Adjustable nozzle
Some water blasters have adjustable nozzles that allow you to change the properties of the water jets. The exact nozzle settings vary between models, but you generally have the option to switch between a wider, softer spray and a thinner, harder spray. Very powerful jets can feel slightly painful if they hit at close range. It’s wise to adjust the nozzle to a softer spray when younger children are involved.
Tips for using water blasters
- Select a water blaster that’s durable enough to meet your needs. Some cheaper models aren’t designed to last. If you only want it for very occasional use, this might not be an issue, but if you want years of fun from your water blaster, it’s worth spending extra for a well-made, durable model.
- Make sure everyone stays safe while using their water blasters. Avoid running on slippery surfaces or near the edge of pools. We recommend supervising younger children during water blaster battles.
- Consider buying a target. If you’re buying for an only child and don’t want to be on the receiving end of water blasters all summer, consider purchasing a water blaster target for them to practice on when they're playing solo.
- Decide if you want a water blaster that sprays multiple jets. More jets equals more coverage, making it harder for your opponents to dodge your attack.
FAQ
Q. How much do water blasters cost?
A. Squirt models are the cheapest, costing between $2 and $5 each. Basic pump-action water blasters cost as little as $10, but large high-end models can cost up to $100. You can expect to pay between $20 and $150 for a motorized water blaster.
Q. Do I need to put batteries in my water blaster?
A. If you have a basic squirt model or a pump-action water blaster, there’s no need for batteries because they’re operated manually. Motorized water blasters, on the other hand, require batteries to power the motor. It’s always a good idea to double-check whether or not your chosen water blaster requires batteries when ordering to avoid the disappointment of not being able to use it when it arrives.
Q. Do water blasters have a recommended minimum age limit?
A. All water blasters have recommended minimum ages. This is due to a range of factors, including the water blaster's size and weight and whether it has any small parts. If you’re buying for a child, it’s important to abide by these minimum age recommendations, not only for safety reasons but because a child younger than the recommended age might be too small to handle the water blaster in question.
Q. Are there any accessories I can buy for my water blaster?
A. Yes, you can find accessories for certain water blasters, especially big-name models like Super Soakers. Popular extras include backup reservoirs and target vests.
