The best Nerf guns to buy in 2021

Is there ever a bad time to play with one of the best Nerf guns? The answer, obviously, is no. With that in mind, we've gathered up our favorite blasters for you to choose from. There's something to suit every budget, not to mention the latest discounts. These offers are updated every 30 minutes by our bargain-hunting software, so you know you're seeing the top deals.

No matter what you go for, the greatest thing about the best Nerf guns is the fact that they can be used indoors or outdoors at any time of year. In addition, there's a staggering variety of blasters now on offer; with multiple ranges that cater to different audiences, it's a real gold-mine.

Let's get down to it, shall we? Here are the very best Nerf guns available right now.

Best Nerf guns - top 10

If you want one of the best Nerf guns without breaking the bank (or having to put up with something bulky that'll take up lots of room), the Elite Strongarm is perfect. This revolver-style blaster is cheap yet surprisingly accurate, and it won't weigh you down either. It's the ideal gift for a kid or your own inner child.

Although it may not boast a laundry-list of features, the Strongarm still makes an impression thanks to its 75ft range. That means you'll be able to hit foes from ages away while they're distracted underestimating your blaster.

Alright, so it only carries six darts. But that makes picking them all up again less of a chore. In addition, the Elite Strongarm does include a tactical rail for adding accessories later. That means you can snap on scopes if you want to upgrade.

If you want something cheap and cheerful, this pocket-sized blaster is the best Nerf gun on the market. Sitting pretty at just $7 / £7, it's spot-on for beginners, younger children, or as a throwaway gift for your friends. 

Although it's only a single-shot blaster that must be reloaded with new darts after each shot, it's still punchy enough to be taken seriously. It's also easily transported if you want some impromptu target practice while out and about.

Because of the Jolt's small size, it's fantastic as a last resort as well. Out of darts for your main Nerf blaster? This discreet sidearm is what you need when in a pinch.

Now here's a power-couple if ever there was one. Blending one of the most popular video games of all time with one of the most beloved toys, this Nerf Fortnite AR-L Elite Dart Blaster is ideal for fans of either.

Based on the game's Assault Rifle, this Nerf gun has all the personality of the series thanks to a bright color-scheme and oversized proportions. However, it's what's inside that's really impressive. The AR-L features motorized insides that will fire darts faster than normal, making it a very cool piece of kit if you can keep it stocked with batteries.

Elsewhere, it also offers flip-up sights to go with a stock for bracing against your shoulder - not to mention 20 darts overall and a 10-dart clip for quick reloading.

If you're based in the US, you can get an exclusive customizable version of the Nerf Fortnite AR-L Elite Dart Blaster from Amazon. How do you make one of the best Nerf guns better? Slap stickers all over it, obviously.

Alright, now we're cooking. Even though it's monstrous in size and price, the Elite Titan CS-50 is the ultimate Nerf gun that'll send all your opponents running for cover. Or running away, for that matter. Just look at the thing.

Similar to the heavy machinegun used in Aliens (but a whole lot safer), this one is held like a cannon via shoulder strap and features a whopping 50 darts that'll fire at speed. It's also motorized and boasts a spinning barrel for added effect.

Before you take it into battle, just remember that the Titan needs chonky D batteries to enable its equally sizeable firepower. And because it's a behemoth, younger kids may need help wielding it - this is one of the best Nerf guns, but it's enormous.

If you prefer to keep your foes at a distance, the new Ultra Pharaoh is a dream come true. Offering a staggering range of up to 120ft, it's the ultimate sniper rifle from Nerf.

As the poster-child of a new range bearing the Aerofin Ultra foam darts, this blaster is able to shoot farther than anything that's come before it. Thanks to a bolt-action system, it's also pretty satisfying and one of the best Nerf guns to reload. 

Festooned with gold embellishments that compliment the orange, black, and white design very nicely, the Pharaoh is a handsome beast as well. When combined with those impressive new darts, it looks a little more premium than the price suggests.

Fortnite crossing over with Nerf is a match made in heaven; the battle royale is both imaginative and wacky when it comes to weaponry design, making for memorable toys that stand out from other blasters in the range. They're instantly recognisable as items from the game, too. These aren't cheap reskins with a fresh coat of paint.

The TS-1 is a good example. Inspired by Fortnite's Tactical Shotgun, it's practically been wrenched from the screen and pulled into real life. There are a couple of different versions to choose from (including one with llama targets), but each of them is a pump-action heavyweight with plenty of stopping power. 

Because it uses larger Mega darts as well, the TS-1 fits a unique role on this list of the best Nerf guns - it's easier to hit things with, making it a good choice for younger Nerf warriors. 

Why have a rocket launcher or blaster when you can get both? That's the thought process behind Nerf's Modulus line, and the Demolisher is its pièce de résistance. It's one of the best Nerf guns out there thanks to that 'more is more' 2-in-1 design alone.

Combining a standard rifle with something a little bigger, it attaches a pump-action secondary shooter below the motorized main barrel. That means you can be laying down supressing fire before shooting an enormous foam rocket to disrupt your opponents.

Combine that with a removable stock you can replace with others for the ultimate customizable blaster. A great all-rounder.

Want to step away from classic blasters? This is amongst the best Nerf guns if you're looking for something different. Plus, it means you're armed and ready for the zombie apocalypse. If the undead can be banished by foam bullets, anyway.

Based on a crossbow, it fires four darts at once and features a loading mechanism that has you pulling back the string - just like the real thing, in other words. It's compact enough that it doesn't take up much room, either.

Although it's a little harder to find these days (it seems to have been replaced in favor of a smaller design that uses foam arrows), the fact that the Crossfire Bow uses normal darts makes it friendlier on the wallet if you're trying to build up your stock of ammo.

OK, look. We know this isn't a traditional blaster. But come on. It's a freakin' Nerf rocket launcher. That makes it one of the best Nerf guns in terms of cool-factor alone.

Seeing as it's based on the Fortnite rocket launcher in particular, the RL is quirky too. With a shark face to go with tongue-in-cheek Xs and Os along the barrel, it's an eye-catching blaster that's sure to turn heads. The bright green paint helps it stand out as well. It's a showstopper.

Naturally, the RL doesn't utilise normal darts. Oh no. It calls upon something more impressive. Massive foam rockets, in fact. Marvellous.

Want to take things to the next level? The Rival range is what you need. Despite being more expensive in general, these are some of the best Nerf guns out there; they're loaded with high-impact pellets, are usually motorized, and pack a greater punch.

The Nerf Rival Hypnos XIX-1200 allows you to take full advantage of this. As well as rounds that fire at 100 meters per second, it also provides a trigger lock and a clip release for changing ammo fast. What's more, it's got a folding stock for moments where you need to keep a low profile.

Basically, this is more of a grown-up Nerf gun for tournament play and Nerf Arena. If you want a good all-rounder to see you through intense competitions like that, the Hynos XIX-1200 is a great choice.