3 Best Nerf Guns Under $5 That Are Worth Buying

By: Jeremy Alden

If you take a look at everything that Nerf has built over the years, the sheer number and variation of blasters is enough to excite absolutely any Nerf enthusiast.

That said, many of the larger blasters that are packed with awesome features can come with a hefty price tag, something that is not always great for those who are just getting into Nerf or for those who don’t necessarily engage in Nerf battles that often.

Sometimes, a cheap Nerf gun can do the job just as well. They are also the perfect products for those who are buying a Nerf gun for a small child, for those who are in need of a side weapon to use during Nerf wars, or for those who are looking for a small gift that can easily go along with a product in the same vein.

If you are on the hunt for an extremely affordable Nerf blaster, here are the 3 best Nerf guns that you can purchase for under $5!

The 3 Best Nerf Guns Under $5

The most stripped-down blaster that Nerf has to offer, the Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt blaster is the perfect introductory blaster for those who want a simple, easy to use experience when they first dip their toes into the water.

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt blaster, like many thrifty blasters on this list, is a mini blaster, meaning that it is extremely compact and easy to carry with one hand or even hide in the pocket until you need to use it.

The bottom of the handle contains a cocking mechanism that is easily pulled down to prime the weapon.

Once you have pulled down on the handle, you can easily load your bullet into the front of the device, aim your weapon at your opponent, and fire when you are ready. Although this blaster is small, you can expect to easily reach targets around 50 feet away (or more)!

Small and powerful, the Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt blaster is a perfect blaster for those who want something stealthy and portable but still capable of posing a threat to other players.

Because it is so small, there aren’t very many disadvantages to the weapon. The only notable downside is that you have to be very aware when you are using the weapon.

If you aren’t paying attention and you lower your gun too far, your bullet may easily slip out of the barrel, which can be problematic if you need to quickly shoot an opponent.

Another single-shot, mini blaster, the Nerf N-Strike NanoFire adds a bit of personality and flair that some versions of the Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt blaster lacked.

Featuring a bright blue body with minor mechanical details that help to make the item look sleeker and pop, the Nerf N-Strike NanoFire blaster is one of the more subtly attractive mini blasters on the market that you can fetch for an affordable price.

Keep an eye on this one as the price tends to hover around $5 but I have seen it float as high as almost $12. 

Like the previous mention, the NanoFire features a small pull mechanism at the bottom of its handle that you use to prime the weapon. Once prepped, just load the bullet into the open barrel at the front of the blaster and fire at will.

This small blaster is capable of reaching distances around 30 feet, which is still considerably far for a lightweight Nerf gun.

What makes this option a little more desirable than some of the other blasters on the market is that this blaster has extra storage space on the gun itself.

Right at the top of the blaster are two small holes that you can fit two extra bullets into. This makes it so that you can easily reload your gun and don’t have to hold onto loose bullets while you’re using the weapon.

Much like other blasters with front-loading barrels, there is the concern of losing a bullet if you accidentally lower your weapon down too far.

Besides that, the simplicity of this blaster and the extra storage space provided by the Nerf N-Strike NanoFire blaster make it another excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable blaster. 

Unlike the other products, the Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 separates itself from the competition by providing you with more firepower rather than trying to add more features to the body.

Aptly named, the Triad EX-3 comes with an enlarged face that features three open barrels capable of holding up to three darts at the time

 While you will still have to prime your gun before firing, the blaster knows which chamber is loaded and shoot darts off one at a time without you having to reload after every fire.

Like most mini blasters, the Triad EX-3 utilizes a priming mechanism at the bottom of the handle to prepare the gun. The exciting part? Once you’re ready to fire, you can expect to reach targets up to 90 feet away.

This makes it the perfect weapon for missions where you need to get up close and personal as well as those where you will need to still be stealthy but require the power that you would expect from a much larger blaster.

Again, this blaster functions extremely well but there is still the issue of potentially losing your darts if you do happen to have your blaster aimed at the ground and loaded at the same time.

However, the benefits of this weapon far outweigh the disadvantages and make the Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 blaster a great weapon to have in your arsenal.

Honorable Mentions: Blasters From the MicroShot Line

Fortunately, you now have three amazing mini blasters to choose from that will provide you with the ability to bring down your enemies without having to break the bank!

Unfortunately, there are very few options that fall under $5. If you are willing to spend a little bit more over this price point, however, there are many blasters out there that will give you a similar experience for just a little more money.

Many of these blasters that are a little over $5 fall into the Nerf MicroShots series. The Nerf MicroShots blasters are a series of collectible blasters that are miniaturized versions of their larger counterparts.

This line will also include stylish collectibles that you will not find in other Nerf lines and include exciting themes such as superheroes, Fortnite, and Star Wars! To give you a better idea of what you can expect, here is a blaster that is just over $5 for your consideration.

The Nerf MicroShots N-Strike Elite Firestrike is a miniaturized version of the larger Nerf N-Strike Elite Firestrike (without the capabilities of the larger blaster, of course).

The Nerf MicroShots N-Strike Elite Firestrike comes with the bronze and dark grey coloring that makes its larger version stand out and provide a more attractive and mature option for older age groups.

Because this is a MicroShots series blaster, there is also the collectible nature of this blaster for those who may want to purchase it but never use it.

Although it lacks the features of the larger blaster, this Firestrike is still capable of reaching distances similar to other mini blasters and looks great doing it. There is also the change in the positioning of the priming device. (View on Amazon here)

Rather than having the cocking mechanism at the bottom of the handle, they moved it to the back of the gun, which makes it easier to prepare. This one also features a handle that is gentler on smaller hands. Just pull back and fire!

Besides the obvious concern of accidentally pointing your blaster down and losing your dart in the process, this gun functions as advertised and doesn’t have any defects that would make it difficult for you to use during a battle.

Overall, the Nerf MicroShots N-Strike Elite Firestrike is another excellent small blaster

Conclusion

There is no reason why buying your first Nerf gun should have to be expensive. There are plenty of great products at the lower end of the price spectrum that you can choose from.

Related Links:

The Best Nerf Guns – Ultimate Guide To Every Type Of Nerf Blaster

The Best Nerf Guns Under $30 – Top Budget-Friendly Starter Guns

Are Nerf Guns Safe? Tips For Being Safe With Nerf Guns

The Best Nerf Assault Rifles – Comparisons & Reviews

The Best Nerf Elite Guns – Comparisons & Reviews