The best Nerf guns to buy in 2021

best Nerf guns
(Image credit: Nerf)
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1: Top 10
2:
Cheap Nerf darts
3: Nerf sale (Amazon US)
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Nerf deals (Amazon UK)

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

1. Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm

The best Nerf gun overall

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: 6 darts

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Accurate
+
Not too heavy

Reasons to avoid

-
Only six darts

If you want to get your hands on one of the best Nerf guns without breaking the bank (or having to put up with something bulky that'll take up loads 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 cool, cowboy-esque loading mechanism and impressive 75ft range. That means you'll be able to hit foes from ages away while they're still underestimating your blaster.

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.

Alright, so it only carries six darts. But that makes picking them up again less of a chore. Because who wants to spend half-an-hour looking for all those darts? 

2. Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt

The best cheap Nerf gun

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: Single shot

Reasons to buy

+
Very cheap
+
Small
+
Still packs a punch

Reasons to avoid

-
One dart at a time

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. 

Despite being a single-shot blaster that must be reloaded with new darts after each shot, the Jolt is still punchy enough to be taken seriously. It won't strike fear into the hearts of your enemies like the Elite Titan CS-50 heavy machinegun, but that just gives you the element of surprise.

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. It's also easily transported if you want some impromptu target practice while out and about.

Last but by no means least, it's sturdy enough to take a beating. There aren't many moving parts to jam or get broken, and it doesn't require batteries. If you're buying for kids, that's something of a lifesaver.

3. Nerf Fortnite AR-L Elite

The best mid-range Nerf gun

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: 10-dart clip

Reasons to buy

+
Looks just like the game version
+
Motorized
+
Flip-up sights

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires batteries

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.

4. Nerf Elite Titan CS-50

The best premium Nerf gun

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: 50-dart drum

Reasons to buy

+
Monstrous size
+
50-dart drum
+
Spinning, motorized barrel

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive

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 overall, but it's enormous.

Don't let that put you off, however. This is a magnificent Nerf blaster that will make the wielder a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

5. Nerf Ultra Pharaoh

The best long-range Nerf gun

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: 10-dart clip

Reasons to buy

+
120ft range
+
Gold embellishments
+
Not too big

Reasons to avoid

-
Hard to find in the UK

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.

6. Nerf Fortnite TS-1

The best Nerf gun for Fortnite fans

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: 4-dart pump-action

Reasons to buy

+
Basically a Nerf shotgun
+
Fortnite styling
+
Mega darts

Reasons to avoid

-
Slow to reload

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. 

7. Nerf Modulus Demolisher 2-in-1

The best 2-in-1 Nerf gun

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: 10-dart clip & single-shot foam rocket

Reasons to buy

+
Best of both worlds
+
Fires foam rockets too
+
Motorized

Reasons to avoid

-
Rockets are awkward to carry

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.

8. Nerf Zombie Strike Crossfire Bow

The best Nerf crossbow gun

Specifications

Ages: 8+
Ammo: 4 darts

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek design
+
Still uses darts
+
Crossbow action

Reasons to avoid

-
Hard to find

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.

9. Nerf Fortnite RL

The best Nerf gun rocket launcher (?!)

Reasons to buy

+
It's a Nerf rocket launcher
+
No, seriously. ROCKET. LAUNCHER.
+
Fun Fortnite design

Reasons to avoid

-
Carrying rockets is a faff

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.

10. Nerf Rival Hypnos XIX-1200

The best Nerf gun for pros

Specifications

Ages: 14+
Ammo: 12-round clips

Reasons to buy

+
Fast fire-rate
+
Trigger lock
+
Folding stock

Reasons to avoid

-
Could be sleeker

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.

Nerf dart deals

best Nerf guns

(Image credit: Nerf)

Getting hold of the best Nerf guns is only half the battle - you'll also need ammunition to arm yourself with. That's why we've rounded up the internet's best dart deals for Nerf, and you'll find them listed below.

Before you dive in, just be sure to check which Nerf gun you're buying for. Some use different types of darts, ranging from classic run-of-the-mill ones to new versions that fly further. Although a few are interchangeable (such as the Elite range), many, like the Rival pellets, aren't. You can find out more in our guide to cheap Nerf bullets, but here's a quick breakdown:

  • Nerf Elite: Bog-standard Nerf darts. They're compatible with almost everything that isn't an Ultra, Hyper, or Rival blaster.
  • Nerf Ultra: New Nerf darts that fly further than others. Only compatible with Nerf Ultra blasters.
  • Nerf Hyper: Because they're pellets rather than darts, these won't work in anything that isn't a Hyper blaster.
  • Nerf Rival: Another set of pellets that will only fit Rival blasters (they're bigger than Hyper pellets, so won't work on those either).

Looking for more ways to stay entertained? Don't forget to check out the best water guns.

Benjamin Abbott
Tabletop & Merch Editor

As the site's Tabletop & Merch Editor, you'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news. I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and can normally be found cackling over some evil plan I've cooked up for my group's next Dungeons & Dragons campaign.