Table of Contents
Introduction
Hold on – it’s not a firearm! Hearing the word “gun” immediately rings alarms and buying it is a whole different thing altogether. However, Nerf bullets are made from soft foam and are nothing like actual other ammunition. They are, in fact, enjoyable toys for kids.
Latest update on 2022-11-21 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nerf guns are called blasters and it is not easy to find a high quality Nerf gun that won’t break apart after just a few uses. Some Nerf guns just have a dart that is pushed out of it with a small spring and others hold dozens of balls inside a container and are powered by huge batteries. You need to know about their specs, as well as their pros and cons, before you buy a Nerf gun for your kid.
This article will help you choose the best Nerf gun for your child to make sure that he enjoys his time. The timing, speed, and modularity of these guns are amazing.
Are Nerf Guns Under $30 Good Enough?
Nerf guns are readily available in the market, especially the ones that are available at dirt-cheap prices. However, low-priced guns may not have all the features that you may want to have in a Nerf gun. Cheaper ones might not be the best possible choice when it comes to quality either.
The $30 price point falls midway between the high-end and the low-end guns. At this price, manufacturers were able to still provide many of the features that come with only high-end Nerf guns, while keeping the overall cost low. This price reflects the peak where you can get the best possible choice for your money.
However, be aware of the products in the market that will have the same price slab but, owing to severe cost-cutting, they have either drastically reduced the quality of their products or have skipped on some essential features. Some may look good but may not work the same. For example, low quality guns are reported to get jammed and you have to open it to get the Nerf ammunition out.
Can Nerf Guns Under $30 Compete With Higher-Priced Nerf Guns?
In this article, we have made sure that we only present you with high quality products that are known for their durability and functionality. All these products are backed up by solid reviews and we have tried to dissect their good and bad. There are other even lower-priced nerf guns available on the market but our recommendation to you is to add a few more bucks and get your kid a gun that will never give him a hard time using it.
Of course, the expensive guns are better but that is not always the case.
Best Features of Nerf Guns Under $30
Nerf guns are very enjoyable toys that can be used by kids and adults alike. They are lightweight, easy to handle, and safe toys for your kids.
One of the biggest advantages of these guns is that they hold ammunition made out of foam which ensures no harm during playtime. Due to their bombastic designs, they are very appealing to children and are a good gift for Christmas and birthdays.
5 Best Nerf Guns for 30 Dollars
Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster with Rotating Barrel
Key Features
- High quality rotating barrel
- Easy to install darts
- Rapid-fire function
- Comes with 6 Nerf bullets
- Shooting distance of 90 feet
What we particularly liked about the Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster with Rotating Barrel is its design. The design gives it the tactical advantage to hold more ammunition and fire at a much faster rate. It comes with a rotating barrel that is very easy to open and you can easily install the Nerf bullets.
Not only is the rotating barrel design very appealing, but it is also very fast. With rapid-fire technology, it can shoot the darts quickly at a much faster pace. You can operate it using only one hand and it is safe for your kids to run around while holding them. Due to its very convenient size and its popularity, this gun will be suitable for kids of all ages.
It also comes with a neat feature that they call the slam fire, which can fire all the 6 darts at once. To support that, they have also added 6 Nerf darts for that purpose. Of course, only 6 Nerf darts is not a good idea on a battlefield where rapid fire is required. You can purchase a 30 Nerf darts pack which is readily available in stores.
The shooting distance of this gun is about 90 feet and it shoots very accurately; therefore, it will be a good choice for playing outdoors.
Pros
- Capacity to store 6 darts in the barrel
- Small fire technology
- One-handed operation
- Comes with 6 darts
Cons
- Design is not that appealing
- Not suitable as a gift
Verdict
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster with Rotating Barrel is a small Nerf gun that has a high range and comes with a 6 Nerf barrel capacity. If you want to get something for your kid that will make his day, then this is the perfect choice.
Nerf Zombie Strike Hammershot Blaster
Key Features
- 5 light Nerf darts for high range shooting
- Conveniently operated with one hand
- Perfect fit for small hands
- Shaped liked a classic pistol
- Universal gun darts
While most guns can hold about six darts on average, the Nerf Zombie Strike Hammershot Blaster holds five darts and this is what makes the size comparatively smaller than other Nerf guns. It is also very lightweight and your kid will be easily able to lift it; due to this, you can conveniently hold it with one hand without any problem.
The design is helpful for those who want to play with it for long hours without straining their arm muscles. If your kids like to play a lot, then this gun is the right choice.
The design of the gun mimics that of the classic pistols. It also accompanies many other convenient features like the ability to shoot all five darts at once if chosen. In scenarios where making an impact is of primary importance, this gun will not fail to impress you.
It uses universal Nerf darts, so you can purchase separate ammunition to use them with the blast feature.
Pros
- Single handed operation
- Ability to shoot 5 darts in a single go
- Highly durable
- Suitable for gifting
Cons
- Not for children below the age of 8 years
- A little heavy for small kids
Verdict
The Nerf Zombie Strike Hammershot Blaster is a compact gun with an innovative design that you can use with one hand. It is highly durable and long-lasting, so you should definitely give it a try.
Nerf Zombie Strike Flip Fury Blaster
Key Features
- Has a big barrel that can hold a lot of ammunition
- Ability to hold 12 Nerf darts
- Slam shot feature can fire all the nerfs at once
- Practical design with a convenient to hold the handle
- Made with high quality parts and double molded plastic
The Nerf Zombie Strike Flip Fury Blaster gun has a clear advantage over other Nerf guns as it can fire up to twelve Nerf shots at once – that is almost double the amount of any other standard Nerf gun. The best thing is that it allows us to shoot all those darts at the same time.
It features a double dart drum design that can hold a lot of ammunition and can be conveniently operated with one hand. You can use it with two hands as well but the one-handed feature may come in handy in situations where one might need a free hand for defense.
The gun also features a top handler which is good for carrying it from place to place. Your kid also won’t have to carry an additional pack of darts as it already holds double the regular amount of Nerf darts. It gives a clear edge to your kid on the battlefield.
Furthermore, these darts are safe. They are made from high quality foam and come in different colors.
Pros
- Can be used easily with one hand
- Comes with 12 foam darts
- Blast shooting technology
- Appealing design
Cons
- Heavy and tilts towards the front
- Unstable in one hand
Verdict
The Nerf Zombie Strike Flip Fury Blaster gun is the best choice for those kids who want to hold more ammunition. With its two dart drums, it can hold twice the ammunition than a normal gun can.
Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3
Key Features
- A small-sized gun that is convenient to hold
- N-Strike technology
- Shoots 3 darts with high speed
- A convenient sidekick gun
- Can be easily used with one hand
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 is probably one of the most readily available and most popular Nerf guns today. N-strike is a high performing gun that affords convenience and fun for your kids. This beast of a gun can fit nicely in the small palms of children and is very lightweight to carry around. With its compact size and ergonomic build, it can easily be conceived as being a high quality toy gun.
These guns are mistaken for low shooting power owing to their small size, but it is nothing more than a misperception. This gun fires at a high rate and will beat most of the opposing guns.
It is also very portable and is suitable for carrying around. You can easily fit it in your family luggage and take it anywhere.
Pros
- Very small and easy to hold with one hand
- Suitable for taking to picnics
- A high range of 90 feet
- Accurate shots
Cons
- Low capacity
- Comes with only 3 darts
Verdict
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 gun is small but powerful. With a high speed, it can shoot up to 90 feet and is suitable for outdoor use.
Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor
Key Features
- Accurately fires projectiles up to 90 feet
- Highly durable build quality with dual molded plastic
- 6 Nerf shots can be fired at once
- Classic and appealing design
- Highly stable with the dual handed operation
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor gun is better suited for two hands. This helps in aiming at the target much more accurately. The two-handed operation of this gun makes it highly stable. With this gun, your kids can shoot at moving objects very easily.
It can shoot a maximum of 6 Nerf shots with high accuracy. The design of the gun is somewhere between a shotgun and the classical pistol. This will be the most balanced choice for a kid who is not yet acquainted with toy guns.
The quick blaster uses the full potential of the rotating barrel and can take down all its opponents. The gun is extremely useful in close-ranged encounters. While it reaches up to 90 feet, the projectile remains accurate and doesn’t swing from its path.
Pros
- Best for use with both hands
- High stability
- Has 6 Nerf darts
- Range is up to 27 meters
Cons
- Not suitable for one-handed use
- Quite bulky
Verdict
Kids will enjoy the Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor gun a lot because they can fire at their opponents almost from 90 feet away while using the shooting indicator.
What to Look for When Choosing Nerf Guns for 30 Dollars
Buying any kind of toy is a source of excitement for your kids. At first, like every parent, you may be scared of buying your kid a toy that you may think is dangerous for them. However, the truth is that a Nerf gun is just as dangerous as any other toy. If used correctly, it will be safe for your kids.
Wearing safety goggles while using the Nerf gun will give you peace of mind, but you don’t have to worry too much as these guns have ammunition made of foam which is not dangerous at all.
That being said, here are some of the things that you need to consider before buying a Nerf gun:
Capacity
A faster shooting rate makes the Nerf gun exciting for kids but depends on the gun’s capacity. Most of the bigger guns come with high capacity cylinders that can host dozens of Nerf ammunition. The more capacity a Nerf gun has, the more engaging will it be for your kids.
Instead of letting them play all the time with smartphones and video games, it is a better alternative that makes your kid physically active as well.
Accuracy and Budget
You also have to keep your budget in mind and your Nerf gun shouldn’t exceed $30, so do not expect accuracy out of a budget-friendly Nerf gun. Normally, kids don’t think much about the accuracy of the shot and neither do many guns provide a precise accuracy. Only some of the high-end Nerf guns support accurate shots.
Dart Range
Why is dart range important? The lesser the pressure of the shot, the safer it is; but things are different indoors as compared to outdoors. Some Nerf guns aren’t even able to shoot across the room, which may not be an issue indoors but definitely is outdoors.
To cover more distance, the Nerf gun needs to have an extended range. If you are planning to have your kid play outside in the lawn, then do check the range of the gun. Also, it is advised to buy elite ammunition for the Nerf gun.
While no set range defines a standard for Nerf guns, we would say that 80 to 90 feet are pretty good. Keep in mind that only the original products be able to achieve these distances, while counterfeit products may not be able to keep up.
Recommendation
While you can buy any of these guns for your kids, our personal favorite is the Zombie Strike Flip Fury Blaster, since it can hold double the amount of Nerf rounds as compared to any other product on this list.
It also has a very fast barrel that shoots accurately and makes fast projectiles. If you want something that your kid will be able to use at its full potential, then this gun is a great choice.
Final Words
Nerf guns are one of those toys that require some creativity on the part of your kid. They will be a good companion for them to enjoy their time with. Just so that your little one does not have any problem with using his toy, we have compiled this list of the best Nerf guns that you can currently buy for less than $30. Although any one of the above-mentioned guns will work great for you, we would recommend first evaluating your needs and preferences and choosing whichever Nerf gun fits them the best.
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