By: Jeremy Alden
Electronic times are often the most exciting products for children. After all, we live in the digital age and we want everything to outperform the other toys out there.
That being said, electronic toys come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages to consider when you begin looking for the right toy for your child, especially when it comes to Nerf blasters.
Do Nerf guns use batteries?
The majority of Nerf blasters do not require batteries. Out of the twenty-two different lines of Nerf guns, only 10% of which require batteries. Most of the Nerf blaster do not require batteries to operate. Most Nerf blasters have manual priming and firing mechanisms.
In this guide, we’re going to see what type of electronic Nerf guns there are, what you need to consider when it comes to battery-powered blasters, and how you can get your child started on their Nerf journey!
Do Nerf Guns Use Batteries? Yes, Some Do!
When it comes to Nerf blasters, there’s no shortage of battery-powered Nerf blasters at your disposal.
While manual blasters are certainly a staple in every child’s Nerf collection, they may lack the power or qualities that children want when they go up against some of their friends with much larger blasters.
But while getting your hands on an electronic blaster is easy, it really boils down to whether or not it’s right for your child when you’re shopping for a blaster as a parent. What should you consider during the shopping process?
Who Shouldn’t Have An Electronic Blaster?
There are a couple of different items you should be focusing on if you want to buy an electronic Nerf gun for your child. Some of these considerations include:
- Choking Hazards: There are a lot of elements on a Nerf blaster that could be a choking hazard for children. Beyond the darts and removable pieces, you have to worry about your child getting their hands on batteries. If your child is young and you still have an issue with them potentially swallowing hazardous items (although this won’t pertain to all parents), this is something to keep in mind.
- Weight: Some blasters use fewer bullets and manage to be relatively lightweight. However, other blasters use so many large batteries that it bogs down the body. Consider whether or not your child will be able to hold and carry their blaster across a battle environment. Nothing’s worse than getting a blaster your child can’t use!
- Functionality: Some battery-powered blasters offer a seamless firing experience while others can sometimes be complicated to use. Like the suggestion above, make sure that using the Nerf blaster is realistic for your child before purchasing it.
- Power: It’s important to note that battery power does not necessarily mean an increase in firing power. However, some Nerf blasters can be overwhelming for some players, especially if the Nerf darts hurt once they hit the target. As always, you want your child to be safe. Make sure the blaster they have their eye on is age-appropriate to avoid hurting other children or themselves.
- Cost: Our final consideration is for the parents only. Unlike manual blasters, electronic Nerf blasters can eat up a lot of energy, requiring you to buy batteries regularly so that they can power their favorite weapon. Consider this cost and how much a blaster will cost you over time before you leap for a certain weapon.
For the most part, you really only have to be careful when shopping for a battery-powered blaster for much younger children. As long as your child can safely handle their chosen blaster, the only thing you should be worried about is them having too much fun!
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Electronic Blasters: Advantages and Disadvantages
Beyond the main factors that will influence your final purchase, there are some key characteristics of battery-powered blasters that will help you see how they stack up against manual blasters. Let’s dive into these shared features:
Pros of Battery-Powered Nerf Blasters
- Easier to Operate: Most battery-powered blasters come with a flywheel trigger located beneath the firing trigger. To operate, you just hold down the bottom trigger while pressing down on the firing trigger when you wish to shoot. This is often a much easier way to operate your blaster than having to prime it each time when you want to fire.
- (Sometimes) More Powerful: Although Nerf tries to make every battery-powered blaster powerful, it sometimes misses the mark. That being said, there are quite a few electronic Nerf blasters that pack a greater punch. If your child is tired of shots that don’t quite make it out of the barrel, they may be more satisfied with an electronic Nerf gun instead of a manual weapon.
- Greater Speed and Efficiency: From semi-automatic blasters to fully automatic blasters, most electronic Nerf blasters are capable of shooting out darts at much faster speeds than manual blasters can. This is just another natural advantage that accompanies battery-powered blasters.
Of course, no gun is without its cons. Let’s dive into these as well!
Cons of Battery-Powered Blasters
- Have a Greater Potential for Jamming: When you’re shooting out darts at a rapid rate, there’s definitely an increased risk for jamming, which can be problematic when you’re in the middle of a match. Pay close attention to the reviews of your chosen blaster to make sure that it doesn’t have a jamming problem that makes it impossible to use.
- Performance Depends on Battery Power: Batteries are great until they start to lose juice. Once this happens, you have a blaster that is performing less efficiently because the batteries inside are dying. Additionally, you run the risk of your blaster dying in the middle of battle. If you don’t have a manual blaster on your side, you’re out of luck!
- Cost Exceeds Just Blaster: Purchasing a manual weapon means making a one-time purchase. Purchasing an electronic blaster means buying the blaster than paying for all of the batteries that it will use during its lifetime. For this purpose, it’s best to have a host of manual and electronic blasters that your child can cycle through over time.
- Some Blasters Are Burdened By Batteries: Some blasters have a boosted performance as a result of batteries. Others, however, become much heavier and difficult to use. If the batteries on a blaster seem like more of a burden than a helpful addition, it’s best to go for another blaster.
Just like manual blasters, there are specific features for electronic blasters that can make or break the experience. Remember the above when you’re looking at various battery-powered blasters.
5 Battery-Powered Blasters Worth Considering
Ready to find some excellent electronic Nerf blasters that your child will love? Here are just a few recommendations to give you some inspiration and help you find the right blaster for them. Here is our overall favorite list of battery operated Nerf Blasters.
1. The Nerf N-Strike Elite Stryfe
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Stryfe blaster is a small, battery-powered pistol that is the perfect secondary blaster to have on hand. With a bright orange body, the Stryfe is visually striking and perfect for anyone who has a major focus on design.
Featuring a 6-dart clip, space to add a shoulder stock for storage and accuracy, and a tactical rail for sights, the Stryfe is a great semi-automatic starter weapon.
2. The Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18
If you’re looking for a primary that’s easy to operate, look no further than the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18.
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 is a powerful, lightweight semi-automatic blaster capable of firing up to 18 Nerf darts, all of which are stored in its transparent clip system.
With a shoulder stock and additional space for sights, the CS-18 is for any player who wants to dominate on the battlefield.
3. The Nerf N-Strike Elite Infinus
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Infinus is truly a breed of its own. This massive blaster stands out with its stunning design and 30-dart drum, which provides the user with ample ammo to tackle the competition.
Where the Infinus really stands out, however, is the ammo slot at the top. Rather than having to deal with reloading the drum each time, players can simply feed darts into the blaster to replenish their ammo source.
Is your child tired of having to have multiple drums on hand to get the job done? If so, the Infinus is an excellent solution to these common problems.
4. The Nerf N-Strike Mega Mega Mastodon
Who can do it bigger and better than the Nerf Mega series? No one! The Nerf N-Strike Mega Mega Mastodon is just what you would expect it to be: massive, overpowered, and ridiculously fun to use.
-You might like our full Mastodon Review.
With a 24-dart rotating barrel and huge whistling darts, this blaster is hours of fun wrapped up in a giant body. Just remember that it takes a handle and a strap to properly use this Mega Mastodon!
5. The Nerf Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K
The Nerf Rival series was designed specifically for older players looking for a more intense blasting experience.
With blasters divided by teams and utilizing high-impact foam rounds, getting together a serious game with your friends has never been easier.
The Nerf Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K is one of the more serious blasters in this series, offering a 200-round container and the ability to shoot out 8 rounds per second on full batteries.
If you want to enter the battle strong, the Nerf Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K is the best option.
Shopping around for a battery-powered blaster can be difficult, but once you have everything you need to know in front of you, the experience is seamless.
If your child is asking for an electronic blaster but you don’t know where to get started, use the guide above to learn more about electronic blasters and gain some insight into what you should be looking for.
Jeremy A
Dart Dudes
About the Author
Jeremy is the founder of Dart Dudes, the leading resource for parents looking to pick up a Nerf toy for a child. He grew up with his four brothers and two sisters where there was always a Nerf war taking place.
With a focus on safety, Jeremy has helped thousands of parents help chose the right Nerf toy for their kids or grandkids. He lives in California with his wife and family. Learn more about me. - You can email me jeremy@dartdudes.com