Ah, the humble Nerf gun. The memories we’ve made with the foam dart-shooters over the years, from nailing that troublesome sibling in the gonads to fulfilling our secret agent fantasies – without actually injuring the bad guys – the Nerf gun has been a fine addition to any childhood home.
In recent years the Nerf range of toys has exploded, offering all sorts of different themed guns and accessories, all at different price ranges. Finding your ideal Nerf gun (or guns) can be tricky, but that’s where we come in.
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Here at Expert Reviews, we’re often shooting each other with Nerf darts in the name of science, and as a result of this extensive research we can help you choose the perfect Nerf gun for your budget. Below, you’ll find our regularly curated pick of everything Nerf has to offer, along with a handy buying guide to help you make the right purchase. Whatever Nerf gun you’re searching for, chances are there's something here for you.
How to choose the best Nerf gun
Are Nerf guns safe to play with?
While a Nerf “gun” may sound intimidating, they are actually very safe. While safety goggles are recommended, Nerf guns shoot lightweight foam darts that don't bruise the skin when they reach the intended target, and are much safer to use than a BB gun. However, try not to aim at the urn balancing precariously on the mantelpiece, and keep the guns away from pets. If in doubt, look for the gun’s minimum age requirement before purchasing.
What are the different types of Nerf gun?
There are all sorts of different Nerf guns to consider and the options can seem rather daunting. Perhaps the most common style of Nerf is the spring-loaded gun, which requires the gun to be “cocked back” every time you pull the trigger. It’s simple, effective, and you don’t need to replace the batteries. The battery-powered models have their advantages, however, namely longer ranges and fully-automatic fire.
There are also different “themed” Nerf guns to consider, each offering their own unique design styles and special Nerf darts.
How much do I need to spend on a Nerf gun?
You don’t need to spend a lot of money when starting your Nerf collection. As you will see below, the cheapest gun is under £10, and many of the fancier blasters cost less than £20. Most Nerf guns come with darts included in the box, too, although we recommend picking up extra refill packs for when the supplied darts inevitably find their way under the sofa.
What accessories can I buy?
There are all sorts of extras you can buy with your Nerf gun. Many shooters are modular, which means you can buy attachments for your guns such as bipods and scopes. You can also buy ammo refill packs (make sure you research which Nerf darts fit your gun), plus bandoliers, and protective goggles for the safety conscious.
The best Nerf guns to buy from only £6
1. Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18: The best battery-powered Nerf
Price: £50 l Buy now from Amazon
While the name seems unnecessarily long, the Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 is the perfect blaster for newbies. With a detachable, easy to reload magazine of 18 Nerf darts, the CS-18 can fire projectiles up to 90ft, and can be fitted with all manner of scope and barrel attachments. It’s battery-powered too, so no need to worry about reloading after every shot. Just hold down the trigger and watch those darts fly.
Key features – Included darts: 18; Firing distance: 90ft; Recommended age rating: Eight years and up; Weight: 1.5kg
2. Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt: The best budget blaster
Price: £6 l Buy now from Amazon
If you’re on a budget, or if you’re looking at an entry-level shooter for your kids, then the Elite Jolt is the blaster to buy. It’s the smallest of the bunch (which makes it perfect for concealment) and it comes with two Elite-style darts, which have to be reloaded after every shot. Perfect for after-tea assassinations or lunchtime showdowns in the office.
Key features – Included darts: 2; Firing distance: 45ft; Recommended age rating: Eight years and up; Weight: 18g
3. Star Wars Nerf Han Solo: The best for Star Wars fans
Price: £36 l Buy now from Amazon
It’s time to fulfil your childlike fantasies of being thrust into Han Solo’s shoes on one of his many intergalactic adventures. Now you can recreate your favourite scenes from the latest Star Wars movie - or from the classic original trilogy - with Solo’s very own spring-loaded blaster, complete with glow-in-the-dark darts and laser bolt sound effects. Shoot first like it’s 1977.
Key features – Included darts: 4; Firing distance: 65ft; Recommended age rating: Six years and up; Weight: 476g
4. Nerf N-Strike Elite Accustrike Alphahawk: The best Nerf for long-range shootouts
Price: £23 l Buy now from Amazon
So, your sibling is now wise to your Nerf antics, and has started to keep their distance in a futile effort to keep your attacks at bay. Well, with the Elite Accustrike Alphahawk, distance is no longer your enemy. Perfect for nailing critical headshots from afar, this spring-loaded blaster has a five-dart drum, and is capable of accurately firing projectiles at a range of up to 50 feet. It also has a tactical rail at the top and underneath, for equipping any added attachments in your arsenal.
Key features – Included darts: 9; Firing distance: 50ft; Recommended age rating: Eight years and up; Weight: 1.5kg
5. Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike: The best modular blaster
Price: £31 l Buy now from Amazon
As any gaming hero knows, there are times when a bog-standard blaster isn’t up to snuff. That’s when you require something kitted out with almost everything Nerf has to offer. The Modulus Tri-Strike is the perfect Nerf gun for the job – you can attach the included stock, under-barrel shotgun and grenade launcher attachments for increased firefight versatility.
Key features – Included darts: 10 (plus 4 Mega darts and 1 missile); Firing distance: 40ft; Recommended age rating: Eight years and up; Weight: 2.3kg (with attachments)
6. Nerf N-Strike Mega Mastodon Blaster: The best rapid-fire beast
Price: £47 l Buy now from Amazon
Hoping for sustained Nerf dart fire? Look no further than the Mega Mastodon Blaster. The largest (and heaviest) shooter on this list, the Mastodon has a 24-dart rotating drum and fires special Nerf “whistler” darts (guess what noise they make). It’s perfect for striking fear into the hearts of your Nerf enemies and clearing the room without breaking a sweat.
Key features – Included darts: 24; Firing distance: 100ft; Recommended age rating: Eight years and up; Weight: 3.4kg
7. Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Kronos: The best ball shooter
Price: £24 l Buy now from Amazon
Nerf doesn’t just offer foam dart shooters, oh no. The bolt-action Phantom Corps Kronos fires “high-impact” spherical rounds that pack more of a punch than their foam dart alternatives. The recommended age rating is higher than the others on this list (14 years and over) and the blaster holds seven rounds in an easy-to-reload spring-loaded magazine. Hit ‘em where it hurts!
Key features – Included darts: 7; Firing distance: 50ft; Recommended age rating: 14 years and up; Weight: 1.2kg
8. Nerf N-Strike Elite Mega Lightning bow: Best bow blaster
Price: £30 l Buy now from Amazon
Last, but certainly not least, comes Nerf’s Elite Mega Lightning Bow. Functioning differently to your bog-standard blaster, this bow shooter fires Elite-style darts. Best of all, the string has to be pulled back every time you fire – just like a real bow. Make like Marvel’s Hawkeye battling the aliens and Ultron robots (though without the bit where you sit out the entire third movie, leaving the known universe to rot).
Key features – Included darts: 4; Firing distance: 85ft; Recommended age rating: 8 years and up; Weight: 612g