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How do you know what the best NERF gun is?
For kids and adults alike, NERF guns are popular toys. Because let’s face it: we like shooting stuff up. Real weapons are dangerous, though, but NERF guns are not. They don’t even resemble real firearms. The foam bullets are perfectly safe, too. Heck, they don’t hurt when they hit you; paintballs cause a lot more pain. As such, a NERF war is an extremely delightful, yet equally safe, pastime. Read to know how safe are NERF guns.
Because of their popularity, NERF guns come in all shapes and sizes. They range from revolvers to almost-miniguns. Most NERF guns are spring-loaded, but some are motorized and battery-powered. With all these choices, what could be the best one of them all?
Each NERF gun has its strength, including range, portability, rate of fire, and modularity. NERF rifles usually excel in modularity, having interchangeable parts. The battery-powered models often dominate in terms of range and rate of fire. On the other hand, the pistol-and revolver-type NERF guns are compact and highly portable.
If you want to get one for your kid (or yourself), the choice is a tough one. Thus, it pays to know about the best NERF gun ever. Here are our top three picks.
Also, check out the best NERF guns in 2020.
1. NERF Ultra One
The Ultra One combines range, accuracy, and rate of fire in one awesome package. This blaster is motorized, so there is no need to pull a slide or pump. Plus, it has a drum that can carry 25 darts. The high ammo capacity, combined with the fast fire rate, will certainly give you an edge over the rest.
Specifications
- Ammo: NERF Ultra darts
- Maximum range of 120 feet
- 25-dart capacity
- Motorized firing mechanism
- Powered by four C batteries
One note about firing the Ultra One, though: it is not fully automatic. In other words, one pull of the trigger shoots only one dart. Even then, this still shoots a lot faster than other NERF guns, like the Mega.
Verdict
Despite being only semi-automatic, the NERF Ultra One is still a lot of fun to use. All you need to do is pull the trigger and own your opponents. With its range and 25-dart capacity, you don’t even have to get up close and personal. The price also isn’t too steep.
Pros Of NERF Ultra One
- High capacity
- Fast firing rate
- Long range
- Not very bulky
Cons Of NERF Ultra One
- Not compatible with other NERF darts
- Replacement Ultra darts are expensive
- Batteries can run out quickly
Summary
2. NERF N-Strike Elite Strongarm
The Strongarm is perhaps the most well-known NERF blaster. It’s perfect for all NERF battles, from a small 1-on-1 gunfight to a full-on NERF war with the entire office. Just pull back the slide and squeeze the trigger to unleash the action.
Specifications
- Rotating barrel that holds 6 darts at once
- Fire 6 shots in a row before reloading
- Barrel flips open for easy reloading
- Tactical slide allows attachment of N-strike accessories
- No batteries required
- Maximum range of 90 feet
- Here’s another good thing about the Strongarm: it has a rapid-fire mode called “slam-fire blasting.” To do this, hold down the trigger and ‘pump’ the slide back and forth repeatedly. This way, you’ll let out all six darts real quick.
Verdict
Though it isn’t the most powerful NERF gun around, the N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster is still one of the most affordable variants. Combining portability, ease of use, fast firing, and range, it strikes a proper balance for its low price.
Pros Of NERF N-Strike Elite Strongarm
- Easy to use
- Has a rapid-fire mode
- Compact
- No batteries needed
- Good range
- Tactical rails give room for attachments
- Low price
Cons Of NERF N-Strike Elite Strongarm
- Limited ammo capacity
- May break easily
- Reloading can be cumbersome
- Rotating barrel can be prone to malfunction
Summary
3. NERF Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K
This model is worth mentioning because of its peculiar design. It’s like the heavy machine gun of NERF guns: it can hold 200 rounds and fire an astonishing eight rounds per second. It even has shoulder straps to make you feel like a NERF Rambo.
Specifications
- Ammo: High-Impact Rounds
- Fully motorized
- Powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery
- Charging via AC adapter
- Fires 8 rounds per second
- Rounds fly at 100 feet per second
- Includes shoulder straps
Thanks to its motorized, fully automatic mechanism, you can unleash a hail of foam balls at with just a pull of a trigger. It just keeps firing until you release the trigger. A weapon of such power merits the use of both hands, but hey, nothing beats that kind of NERF firepower.
Verdict
The Prometheus MXVIII-20K is a powerhouse suitable for hardcore NERFers. It looks nothing like a typical NERF gun, yet it’s a force to be reckoned with. Both the ammo capacity and fire rate guarantee that you’ll win any NERF war.
Pros Of NERF Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K
- No need to keep replacing batteries
- Extremely high ammo capacity
- Fully automatic
- Ultra-fast rate of fire
- High-speed rounds
Cons Of NERF Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K
- Needs both hands to use
- Bulky
- Battery sometimes does not charge properly
- Battery can overheat