Image: MomJunction Design Team
Nerf guns are one of the most popular toys for children, and the best Nerf guns are made of superior quality materials and tested to meet global safety standards.
These time-tested toy guns are foam-based and come with rounded darts that are generally safe for most children to play with. However, you must know that it might not suit all age groups. So, choosing one can be a challenging and confusing task. Well, we’ve got you covered. Scroll down to check out some best-selling options that you can consider buying.
Top Picks
Safety Tips While Using Nerf Guns
Keep the following precautions in mind while your children are playing with Nerf guns:
- Teach them to hold the gun properly and aim so that they do not hit someone accidentally
- Explain how to load the barrel correctly
- Never aim the gun at another person’s eyes or face, or other sensitive parts
- Do not look down the barrel even if it is not loaded
- Keep the finger off the trigger and point it towards the ground until they are ready to aim the target
- Do not leave the gun loaded
- Wear eyeglasses and face mask for safety
Most importantly, you must make your child understand that playing with toy guns is merely for fun and sport, while real guns are extremely dangerous and not meant for use by children.
17 Best Nerf Guns For Kids To Have A Blast In 2024
1. Best Compact:Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 Toy
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad Ex-3 toy gun is compact and easy to use. It offers three barrels and activates only when the darts are placed in each of the barrels. It is recommended for children aged eight years and above. This product testing cum review video gives you more information about the kids’ Nerf blaster.
Item Weight: 5.3 ounces.
Pros
- Made of smart technology that tells you which barrel is loaded
- Has a range of up to 90 feet
- Fires three darts in a row quickly
- Cocking the handle enables the shot
Cons
- Darts may get slightly loose and not fire properly at times
- May be difficult for a younger child to operate
Do remember2. Best For Gifting:Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster
This potent blaster has a modular design that allows you to attach and detach the parts of the gun to enhance its performance. It is recommended for children above eight years. This review video showcasing a tester’s experience can help you make an informed decision.
Item Weight: 5.3 ounces.
Pros
- Can create more than 30 combinations
- Children can customize their blaster
- Blaster includes 10 darts and a clip
- Darts fire up to 90 feet
- Includes targeting scope, drop grip, dual-rail barrel, and a storage stock
- Includes dual rail barrel, scope, grip, and storage stock
Cons
- Batteries may not be included
- Grip handle may be bulky for small hands
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Join the 8,007 satisfied buyers on Amazon who have said the product meets their needs and expectations.
3. Best For Long-Distance:Nerf Ultra One Motorized Blaster
This may be one of the best advanced Nerf guns for children, owing to its design and performance. It is known for its accuracy, distance, and speed. The comprehensive design enables the darts to fly far. Here is an informative video review to help you learn more about the product.
Item Weight: 0.01 ounces | Product Dimensions: 3.19 x 24 x 13 inches.
Pros
- Has a 25-dart capacity and includes 25 ultra darts
- Darts feature Aerofin technology, an innovative flight tip, and lightweight foam
- Darts can fire up to 120 feet
- High-capacity dart drum allows firing over two dozen darts in a row
Cons
- Compatible with only Nerf ultra darts
- Trigger might be slightly stiff
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 7,360 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
4. Best Single-Dart Barrel:Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt Blaster
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt Blaster is small but offers super stealth basting. The barrel could be loaded with only one dart at once and reloaded after you fire it.
Item Weight: 2.82 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.26 x 5.43 x 5.43 inches.
Pros
- Micro-size blaster with a single barrel
- Comes with two elite darts
- Compact and easy to use
- High-firing performance
Cons
- Darts may slide out
- Toddlers may find it difficult to pull the trigger
5. Best Zombie-Themed:Nailbiter Nerf Zombie Strike Toy Blaster
The Nailbiter Zombie Strike Blaster offers a fast-firing mode with no priming and can be customized for enhanced performance. This forms a part of the Zombie Strike Survival System of blasters and accessories and is a great toy for children with an active imagination to teach teamwork.
Item Weight: 2.82 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.26 x 5.43 x 5.43 inches.
Pros
- Blaster with eight-dart capacity
- Comes with eight Zombie strike elite darts
- Doesn’t require reloading
- Dart clip automatically indexes the next dart
Cons
- May jam sometimes
- Trigger may be slightly firm
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product boasts 1,869 reviews on Amazon, and many buyers have said they would purchase the product again.
Point To Consider6. Best For High-Impact:Nerf N-Strike Rough Cut 2×4 Blaster
This N-Strike blaster from Nerf is a cool toy for long-distance shooting. It is a double-barreled gun that fires two darts at once. It offers an option to switch to slam fire mode and shoot the darts quickly.Finally, the pump action blaster aids in pretend play.
Item Weight: 2.82 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.26 x 5.43 x 5.43 inches.
Pros
- Has a pump mechanism
- Fires darts up to 75 feet
- Launches up to eight mega darts without reloading
- Available in different color combinations of white, orange, or gray
Cons
- May lose power over time
- Darts may fall out of the barrel
7. Best Easy To Use:Nerf N-Strike NanoFire
Here’s a Nerf gun that can improve your little one’s strategy and creativity. The micro-size blaster shoots one dart at a time and is easy to carry in pockets and backpacks. The built-in dart storage also makes it easy to store and use.
Item Weight: 0.88 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.75 x 6.5 inches.
Pros
- Single-dart blaster
- Comes with three Nerf Elite darts
- Can fire one dart a time
- Built-in area to store two additional darts
- Available in red and blue; each sold separately
Cons
- Some may feel it is underpowered
- Bullets may be lighter than expected
8. Best Portable:Nerf AccuStrike RaptorStrike
The Nerf RaptorStrike is a part of the AccuStrike series, which is known for its high accuracy. It comes with an extendable bipod that helps adjust the height to aim accurately and enhance blaster performance. The colorful Nerf guns for kids are recommended for children aged eight years and above.
Item Weight: 0.88 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.75 x 6.5 inches.
Pros
- Blaster contains two six-dart clips
- Comes with 18 darts
- Compatible with Nerf Elite darts
- Pop-up site for aiming the target
Cons
- May be difficult to load ammunition
- Range may not be enough for some
9. Best For Pocket-Friendly:Nerf AlphaPoint Laser Ops Pro Toy Blasters
The AlphaPoint Laser Ops Pro Blaster offers children everything they need in a head-to-head live-action battle. The exciting Nerf gun for kids comes with light and sound effects, a quick-reload button, unlimited ammo, and indicators for ammo, health, and more for exciting shooting games.
Item Weight: 0.88 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.75 x 6.5 inches.
Pros
- Two laser ops pro blasters
- Fires a single shot at a time
- Option to track your performance by connecting to a smart device (not included)
- Two armbands to hold the smart device
- Indoor and outdoor switch to adjust to the environment
Cons
- Batteries not included
- Trigger may get jammed
10. Best For Long-Range:Nerf BowStrike Blaster
A good little gun that shoots far with accuracy, this Nerf N-strike bow strike blaster could help your children win the competition. All they need to do is to pull the handle to locate the target for shooting.
Item Weight: 0.88 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.75 x 6.5 inches.
Pros
- Blaster has one barrel
- Includes three darts designed for accuracy
- Blaster fires one dart at a time
- Bow arms open and the sides flip up
- Recommended for ages eight and above
Cons
- May be difficult to pull the trigger
- May not shoot far
11. Best Hammer-Action:Persuader Nerf Doomlands Toy Blaster
Your child would love to use this Doomlands blaster when their imagination takes them to a post-apocalyptic land. This foam dart gun for children comes with a hammer-action blaster that needs to be pulled and pressed to fire the dart.
Item Weight: 13.4 ounces | Product Dimensions: 2.44 x 11.77 x 8.35 inches.
Pros
- Four-barrel blaster
- Four Nerf foam darts with flexible and have hollow tips
- Fires four darts in a row
- Tactical rail to customize accessories
- Requires no batteries
Cons
- Some may find the power to be low
- Space behind the trigger may be small
12. Best Kid-Friendly:Nerf Glowshot Gun
If your children love playing with Nerf guns, this Glowshot gun may be one of the best choices to consider. The kid-friendly Nerf gun enables spontaneous sneak attacks and illuminates the battlefield to offer endless fun, making it the perfect blaster for low-light conditions.
Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required | Item Weight: 0.617 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 8.5 x 7.36 inches.
Pros
- Single-barrel blaster
- Includes three darts
- Can fire one dart at once
- Blaster glows
- Works with Nerf suction cup bullets
Cons
- May seem small for some
- May be difficult to cock and shoot for small hands
13. Best Lightweight:Nerf Fortnite RL MicroShots Dart-Firing Toy Blaster
The Nerf Fortnite Dart-Firing Blaster is inspired by the rocket launcher used in Fortnite video games. This lightweight dart gun for kids is a part of the micro shots series and shoots one dart at a time.
Item Weight: 6.7 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.57 x 6.3 x 8.66 inches.
Pros
- Comes with two Nerf Elite darts
- Includes two darts
- Powered manually; requires no batteries
- Recommended for ages eight and above
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- May not shoot far
14. Best For Battery-Powered:Nerf Elite Titan CS-50 Toy Blaster
The Nerf Elite Titan CS-50 Toy Blaster is a motorized blaster with a rotating barrel. The easy-to-use battery-powered blaster has an automated function and a large capacity to let your child shoot more darts in less time.
Item Weight: 8.48 pounds | Product Dimensions: 4.13 x 37 x 15.5 inches.
Pros
- Blaster has a capacity of 50 darts
- Comes with 50 Nerf Elite darts
- Barrel has a shoulder strap for carrying it
- Darts are designed for distance and tested for performance
- Darts have flexible and hollow tips
Cons
- May be slightly large for some
- Darts may get stuck at times
15. Best Fortnite-Inspired:Nerf Fortnite Micro AR-L Microshots Dart-Firing Toy Blaster
Here’s another Nerf blaster Fortnite model with mini-sized micro shots. It is inspired by the blaster used in the popular Fortnight Royale video game. The scrunched-down dart-firing blaster mimics the look of original blasters, making it the ideal blaster for kids.
Item Weight: 7.4 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.75 x 6.5 x 8.5 inches.
Pros
- Comes with two darts
- Fires one dart at once
- Requires hand power and has no battery slots
- Compact size
Cons
- Trigger may not be easy to pull for children
16. Best For Easy-Reload:Nerf Mega Talon Blaster
The Nerf Mega Talon blaster is compact, which makes it suitable for indoor shooting games or in small play areas. There is power in every shot, and it is easy to reload the barrel. The darts of this compact foam blaster are designed for accuracy.
Item Weight: 10.6 ounces | Product Dimensions: 2.13 x 12.25 x 9.25 inches.
Pros
- Comes with three Accustrike Nerf mega darts
- Storage area to keep the darts for quick reloading
- Fires only one dart at a time
- Darts are flexible with hollow tips
Cons
- Some may not find it comfortable to hold
- May not shoot far
17. Best For Action-Packed:Revoltinator Nerf Zombie Strike Toy Blaster
This is a revolving blaster that adds fun to zombie fighters with its power shock electronic lights and sounds. The children’s foam blaster makes blasting, sparkling, and revving sounds when powered up and shot.
Item Weight: 10.6 ounces | Product Dimensions: 2.13 x 12.25 x 9.25 inches.
Pros
- Comes with 18 dart clips and 18 darts
- Motorized blaster
- Fires all the 18 darts in a row
- Darts are made of high-quality foam and designed for distance
- Two tactical rails help customize the blaster with accessories
Cons
- May get jammed frequently
- Motor may take long to wind up
How To Choose The Right Nerf Gun For Children?
To select the right gun for your kid, have the following checklist in mind.
- Weight: Lightweight and compact guns are easier to handle. Prefer them over heavyweight ones as small guns are more comfortable to carry and run.
- Age: Choosing a Nerf gun that is age-appropriate for your child is extremely important. Therefore, check the recommended age before buying a gun.
- Ease of loading: Find those that are easy to load. Some guns have a complicated technology that kids may not learn quickly.
- Theme: Kids love themed toys, like Nerf guns that are designed to match popular themes, such as Fortnite, Marvel, Star Wars, and Overwatch.
Even though they are made of high-quality foam, the darts from Nerf guns could pose a risk when aimed at the eyes and sensitive body parts. To prevent injury, ensure that your child always has the necessary protective gear and follows guidelines to make playing with these toys fun. We hope our list of best Nerf guns could help you buy the right one for your child, keeping in mind the safety as well as your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the right age to give Nerf guns to kids?
You can give Nerf guns to children as young as six to improve their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. At this age, children start enjoying different activities, can use objects, and are looking to perfect various skills (1).
2. Do all Nerf guns use the same darts? Can I buy extras?
No, the shape and size of the darts vary based on the kind of toy gun used. You may check the manufacturer’s instructions to buy the right-sized dart for your toy gun.
3. Do Nerf guns use batteries?
Yes, most toy guns require batteries, but Nerf also offers manual blasters.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose has extensive experience reviewing gifts and toys. She uses this experience to recommend great products to her readers. Here, she has listed and reviewed the best Nerf guns for kids by analyzing and comparing products with high ratings and good user reviews. Priti has also included safety tips and listed the factors you should consider when buying a Nerf gun for your little one.
The Bottom Line
Nerf guns are immensely popular among children. They meet global safety standards and are generally safe for children. Make sure to buy Nerf guns with maximum dart capacity, smart devices to track performance, pop-up sites for aiming the target, and compact, easy-to-use design. Also, consider factors like size, theme, ease of lading, and age before purchasing. So, we recommend the Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 Toy for its barrel load indicator and the Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster, which stands out for its modular design and customizable features. We also like the Nerf Nailbiter Zombie Strike Toy Blaster, which is customizable and enables fast firing. Ensure to take all precautions, like wearing eye protection glasses and face masks, to ensure optimum safety, and ask your child not to aim at the eyes and sensitive parts of the body.
Infographic: Tips For Choosing A Toy Gun
A toy gun with soft bullets can be a fun summer pastime for children. However, getting the right toy gun is essential to ensure optimum safety. Follow the infographic below to know what to look for when choosing a toy gun. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Growth & Development: 6 to 12 Years (School Age)
https://www.choc.org/primary-care/ages-stages/6-to-12-years/
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