Most everyone has played with a Nerf gun. They’re classic toys from childhood that bring back great memories upon mention. However, the best Nerf guns aren’t just for kids. Kids and adults alike can both have a blast with Nerf. This list contains the best rated Nerf guns, ranging from blasters to snipers. Our overall favorite is the Nerf N Strike Elite Strongarm. Keep reading for our complete list of the best Nerf guns for kids and adults.
Our Top Picks:
  | Best Overall: Nerf N Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster The overall best Nerf gun is a favorite for both kids and adults. It fires accurately while maintaining a light weight. It’s one of our favorites. |
  | Runner-up Best: Nerf Rival Takedown Blaster One of the best Nerf guns for adults and older kids is a rapid-fire blaster with excellent range. It’s great for those more experienced with using Nerf guns. |
  | Best Budget: Nerf Elite 2.0 Volt Our favorite budget Nerf gun is a compact blaster with a laser for aiming. It’s one of the most affordable Nerf guns on the list. |
  | Best for Nerf War: Nerf Fortnite Blaster 2-Pack This duo pack of Nerf blasters is perfect for Nerf gun battles. Distribute the weapons or keep both on hand for an epic Nerf gun war. |
  | Best Splurge: Nerf N-Strike Mega Mastodon As the first automatic gun from Nerf, it’s no surprise that this gun is our splurge pick. It holds 24 darts and shoots rapidly. |
  | Best Sniper: Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator The best sniper Nerf gun can be readjusted in four different ways for all kinds of shooting. It’s great for long range shooting and increased accuracy. |
  | Best for Adults: Nerf Elite 2.0 Shockwave Adults who want a Nerf gun should consider this one. Its excellent range and speed make it ideal for adults. |
A Closer Look: Best Nerf Guns for Kids and Adults
Say hello to your new arsenal. We’ve managed to outfit ourselves with the best Nerf has to offer, so read on below to see how theses 7 made our list.
1. Nerf N Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster
The best nerf gun for kids overall
Style: Revolver | Rounds: 6 | Projectile Distance: 90 Feet | Ages: 8+ | Price: 💰💰
Here is a classic gun from Nerf. The rotating cyclider holds 6 darts and fires rapidly almost 100 feet. According to reviewers, the range and accuracy for this gun is unmatched. It doesn’t jam and has consistently been the favored weapon in Nerf gun battles. The simple design makes it efficient to use. Being lightweight means it can easily be taken anywhere. The rapid fire is true to its name, reliably hitting targets across the room. For a top-notch Nerf gun, definitely check this one out.
Reviewers Like
- Very affordable for a quality toy gun
- Incredibly durable, doesn’t break if dropped hard
Reviewers Dislike
- Somewhat small handle and trigger
- Might be challenging for younger kids to load
2. Nerf Rival Takedown Blaster
The runner-up best nerf gun for kids
Style: Pump-Action Rifle | Rounds: 8 | Projectile Distance: 90 Feet | Ages: 14+ | Price: 💰💰💰
The runner up is one of the best Nerf guns for adults and older kids. It shoots rounds fast, which also lends to an increased accuracy. The gun is easy to load too. Simply pull back the handle to open the breech and load in all 8 darts. Pull on the quick-draw lever to fire rounds at rapid speeds. The largest complaint from reviewers is the handle and weight of the claster. It’s very front heavy, with the handle angled back away from the main gun. It takes some adjusting to get accustomed to holding and using this blaster compared to others from Nerf. Still, reviewers love this Nerf gun.
Reviewers Like
- Accurately fires rounds
- Holds a lot of ammo compared to other Nerf guns
Reviewers Dislike
- More likely to jam if firing fast
- Ball ammo can sting if hit at close range
3. Nerf Elite 2.0 Volt
The best budget nerf gun for kids
Style: Pistol | Rounds: 6 | Projectile Distance: 90 Feet | Ages: 8+ | Price: 💰
For less than $10, you can have an excellent Nerf gun for all your battle needs. This gun is small and compact, but still holds six darts. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for a basic Nerf gun. What’s even better is that you can add features onto this gun for enhanced capabilities. There is space to hold two additional darts in the handle for optimal storage. Use the light beam attached to the front of the gun to aim both during the day and after dark. This is one of the best Nerf guns to choose if you want to stick to a budget.
Reviewers Like
- Kids love the light to aim their darts
- Small size makes it great for younger kids
Reviewers Dislike
- Batteries required for aim light not included
- Darts must be loaded in the front, so it takes longer to load
4. Nerf Fortnite Blaster 2-Pack
The best nerf gun for nerf wars
Style: Pistol | Rounds: 12 | Projectile Distance: 70 Feet | Ages: 8+ | Price: 💰💰💰
If you’re looking for the perfect Nerf gun for a Nerf gun war, look no further. This blaster duo can either be split between two players or used by one player for optimal firing performance. Each clip holds three darts, with the entire set coming with 12 darts. Load the darts from the top of the blaster for a quick reload after firing all the darts in the barrel. Reviewers love the style and range of these blasters. One purchase gets you a pack of two that can lead to hours of fun.
Reviewers Like
- Handle and trigger are easy to use
- Set of two means two kids can play
Reviewers Dislike
- Nowhere on gun to store extra bullets
- Jams often if being shot and loaded too fast
5. Nerf N-Strike Mega Mastodon
The best splurge nerf gun for kids
Style: Gatling | Rounds: 24 | Projectile Distance: 100 Feet | Ages: 8+ | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Our splurge pick is excellent for Nerf shooters of all ages. It’s the first motoized Nerf gun with a 24-dart rotating drum that can hit targets up to 100 feet away. Simply pull back the hand lever and watch the bullet fly incredbile distances. A shoulder strap helps keep this massive Nerf gun securely strapped to your person so you can reliably use it during the Nerf gun battles. Keep in mind that it does require six D batteries that aren’t included in the set. It also only takes red MEGA darts as they’re larger and shoot with greater acuracy.
Reviewers Like
- Batteries last a very long time, up to four months
- Darts are larger than the standard and cover more distance
Reviewers Dislike
- Doesn’t fire darts very quickly
- Heavier than other Nerf guns, might be difficult for smaller kids to use
6. Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator
The best nerf sniper for kids
Style: Sniper Rifle | Rounds: 12 | Projectile Distance: 75 Feet | Ages: 6+ | Price: 💰💰
For long range and precise shooting, check out this Nerf gun. Its shape can be adjusted for four possible blaster configurations using three interchangeable parts. A removable stock magazine allows shooters to load additional ammo into their weapon without needing to consistently restock. To prepare to fire, load the clip into the gun, cock it, and fire. Reviewers recommend not priming the dart too fast because you risk jamming the gun. Other than that, it’s easy to use and fires well. It’s another excellent option for a Nerf gun battle.
Reviewers Like
- Darts shoot strong and accurate
- Very affordable gun for the quality
Reviewers Dislike
- Darts get ripped apart when it jams
- Magazine clip is somewhat difficult to remove
7. Nerf Elite 2.0 Shockwave
The best nerf gun for kids and adults
Style: Assault Rifle | Rounds: 30 | Projectile Distance: 90 Feet | Ages: 8+ | Price: 💰💰💰
Nerf guns are fun for all ages. This Nerf Elite 2.0 Shockwave is our favorite pick for adults. The barrel holds 15 darts and rotates to fire rapidly. It comes with three tactical rails, a barrel attachment point, and stock attachment point for battle optimization. To use, simply pull back the priming slide and press the trigger. There is a handle at the front and back of the gun so you have a steady hold as you’re firing darts. It’s an excellent option for adults wanting a Nerf gun.
Reviewers Like
- Easy to reload
- Solid construction, stands up for several rounds of play
Reviewers Dislike
- Bullets get destroyed if loaded improperly
- Doesn’t fire as far as most other Nerf guns
Nerf guns are a favorite amongst kids and adults. They come in such a wide array of styles that there is certainly a model for everyone. Whether you’re shooting for fun or engaged in a Nerf gun battle, one of these guns will be an excellent choice.
Our Process
For this guide on the best nerf guns, our team spent 1.5 hours researching the most popular options from over 20 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about one hundred and seventy-five user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each nerf gun for kids. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 7 nerf guns for kids on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.
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Further Reading
