5+ Best NERF Guns For Backyard Blasting In 2024 [Updated]

5+ Best NERF Guns For Backyard Blasting

Are you looking for the best nerf gun money can buy? Maybe you're looking for a birthday present, a Christmas gift, or just a secret santa gift for that crazy guy in the office. Nerf guns have taken the world by storm over the last few years and are a great way to let off a bit of steam without hurting anyone!

What are NERF Guns?

Nerf guns, also known as Nerf blasters, are toy guns that shoot foam darts, balls, or other projectiles. They are made by the company Hasbro and are designed for safe play and recreational use. Nerf guns typically use compressed air to launch their projectiles, and the projectiles are made of soft foam that is designed to be safe and non-harmful

Nerf guns come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, and they can have different features such as the ability to hold multiple darts or to launch multiple darts at once. Nerf guns are popular with children and adults alike, and they are often used in games and competitions that involve shooting targets or trying to hit opponents.

NERF are constantly launching new products, these are our favourites but there may be newer models, versions and similar styles available during time of purchase. 

The Best NERF Guns


1. Nerf Ultra One

  • Recommended age 8 and up
  • Nerf's farthest flying darts
  • High performance toy gun

The Nerf: Ultra One - Motorized Blaster is a high-performance toy gun. This product is only compatible with Nerf Ultra darts which can be shot up to 36 meters or 120 feet into the air, the biggest distance out of all Nerf darts.

The Nerf darts have a flight tip and are made out of Nerf Ultra foam. There is Aerofin technology that enables the darts to travel a far distance. This motorized blaster has a dart drum that can fit up to 25 Nerf Ultra darts.

The dart drum requires batteries to function. There is an embedded dart depository which serves as a space for reloads. Pressing the trigger releases 1 dart at a time. Over 2 dozen rounds can be released before reloading again.

This product is suitable for children aged 8 and above and not recommended for any under 3 years old. 25 Nerf Ultra darts are included with a purchase of this model but batteries do not come packaged along.

The Nerf gun comes in a grey, orange and white colour scheme. The tips of the Nerf Ultra darts have a bright orange tip that matches the gun.


2. Nerf N-Strike Mega Mastodon

  • Recommended age 8 and up
  • Motorized MEGA blasting
  • Fires darts up to 100 feet

The Nerf N-Strike Mega Mastodon is a highly advanced Nerf gun meant for fast-paced shooting in any environment. The built-in dart drum can fit a maximum of 24 darts at once.

This product is compatible with MEGA Whistler darts which can be launched up to a distance of 30 meters or 100 feet. There is motorized MEGA blasting to dispose darts as quickly as possible.

Each trigger releases 1 dark and over 20 rounds can be fired before reloading. All 24 rounds can be fired in a couple of seconds due to the rapid-fire technology.

This is a large product which can be held and supported by the included strap and handle. Other accessories that come with this motorized blaster are a drum cage, drum covers, 2 MEGA Whistler darts and a user guide.

This product is recommended for people aged 8 years old and above. Children under the ages of 3 should not play with this Nerf gun. This toy requires 6 D batteries which need to be bought separately.

The product comes in a bright red finish with yellow, white, black and orange accents. The MEGA Whistler darts are red with an orange tip that compliments the look of the motorized blaster. 


3. Nerf: Elite Dart Blaster

  • Recommended age 8 and up
  • Play Fortnite in real life
  • Motorized dart blasting

The Nerf: Elite Dart Blaster – AR-L is a product meant to replicate the design of the item in the Fortnite videogame.

This motorized blaster can be used in conjunction with Official Nerf Fortnite Elite darts which are made out of a foam material with hollow tips included. There is a 10-dart clip built-in which stores the darts and prepares for fire.

There are 2 flip-up sights at the head of this toy which can be used to focus on the target. Each trigger brings out 1 dart and the entire clip can be fired in a couple of seconds. There is also a dedicated acceleration button to activate this Nerf gun.

20 Official Nerf Elite darts are included with a purchase of this product. 1.5V AA batteries need to be placed into the model to power it up but the batteries need to be bought separately.

This blaster is recommended for people aged 8 and over and should not be given to kids under the age of 3 years.

This model has an appearance identical to the weapon in Fortnite with a bright yellow base decorated with orange, grey and black accents. The darts have a bright purple tip.


4. Nerf: N-Strike Elite

  • Recommended age 8 and up
  • Laser-like focus
  • Firestrike Blaster

The Nerf: N-Strike Elite – Firestrike Blaster is a product catered towards those who prioritize precision and accuracy.

There is the special feature of precision light beam targeting which allows sharp attention in environments with limited light and vision.

The Light Beam Trigger be utilized to focus on objectives and targets up to almost 5 meters or 15 feet in the distance. This product works best with Elite darts and should not be used in conjunction with other darts.

The Elite darts can be fired a distance of 21 meters or 75 feet. Each trigger releases 1 dart at a time and there is a depository space for 2 other Elite darts.

Only kids aged 8 and above are recommended to play with this toy. Children under the age of 3 should not be given this item. This model comes with 3 Elite darks included and requires 2 AAA batteries which need to be bought separately.

There is also a user guide that shows how to use this product and safety precautions. This toy is available in an orange base with some white and grey colouring. The Elite darts have a class Nerf orange tip.


5. Nerf: Fortnite SMG-E Blaster

  • Recommended age 8 and up
  • Motorized dart blasting
  • Maximum 6 darts

The Nerf: Fortnight SMG-E Blaster is based off the item in the Fortnite videogame. The motorized blaster has a clip that can hold a maximum of 6 darts.

This product is best utilized with Official Nerf Elite darts that are made out of foam and are hollow at the tips.

Each trigger fires 1 dart at a time and there is a dedicated acceleration button to start up the motor. All 6 darts can be fired one after the other in a matter of seconds.

This product should only be used by people aged 8 years and up. Children below the age of 3 should not play with this motorized blaster. 6 Official Nerf Elite darts are included with a purchase of this item as well as a 6-dart clip.

Additionally, there is also a user manual. Batteries are required to operate the blaster but are not included and need to be bought separately.

This Nerf gun exactly looks like the item in Fortnite with a bright purple base, orange trigger and grey accents. There are also the added grey spikes to further replicate the Fortnight look. The darts have a bright purple tip.


Who invented the NERF gun?

The Nerf gun was invented by Reyn Guyer, a toy designer and inventor who worked for the Minnesota-based company Parker Brothers. Guyer came up with the idea for the Nerf gun in the late 1960s, and he and his team developed a prototype for a foam-dart gun that could be used for safe indoor play. The prototype was made from a plumbing supply pipe and used foam rubber balls as projectiles. Guyer presented the prototype to Parker Brothers, and the company decided to develop it into a toy.

The first Nerf gun, the "Nerf Ball Blaster," was released by Parker Brothers in 1970. It was a simple toy that used air pressure to shoot foam balls, and it was an instant hit. Since then, Nerf guns have evolved into a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, and they have become one of the most popular toy gun brands in the world.

How to choose the best NERF gun to buy?

When choosing a Nerf gun, there are several factors to consider to help you find the best one for your needs. Here are some tips for selecting the best Nerf gun:

Determine your budget: Nerf guns come in a range of prices, so decide how much you are willing to spend before you start shopping.

Consider the type of play: Are you looking for a Nerf gun for casual backyard play, or do you want a more serious, tactical-style blaster for competitive games? Different Nerf guns are suited to different types of play, so choose one that matches your intended use.

Look at the range and accuracy: Consider the distance that you want your Nerf gun to be able to shoot and how accurate it needs to be. Some Nerf guns have longer ranges and more accurate targeting systems than others.

Consider the size and weight: If you plan on carrying your Nerf gun around with you, consider its size and weight. Lighter, more compact blasters may be easier to carry, but larger ones may have a longer range or more firepower.

Think about the ammo type: Nerf guns use a variety of ammo types, including darts, balls, and discs. Choose a gun that uses the type of ammo that you prefer.

Check the loading and firing mechanism: Some Nerf guns have manual loading and firing mechanisms, while others are semi-automatic or fully automatic. Consider which type of mechanism is best for you based on your preference and the type of play you plan on doing.

Read reviews and online ratings: Before making a purchase, it can be helpful to read reviews from other people who have used the Nerf gun you are considering. This can give you an idea of the gun's performance and reliability.

How much do the best NERF guns cost?

Nerf guns come in a wide range of prices, depending on the size, features, and performance of the gun. Prices can range from around $50 for a basic Nerf gun to $300 or more for a high-end, tactical-style blaster or sub machine gun. Some Nerf guns are part of a series or a themed collection and may be more expensive due to their rarity or collectability.

In general, you can expect to pay more for Nerf guns that have longer ranges, greater accuracy, and more advanced features, such as multiple barrels, larger ammo capacities, and semi-automatic or fully automatic firing mechanisms.