If you‘re considering getting into gel blaster warfare, you likely got excited when Nerf entered the scene. As the leading toy blaster brand, Nerf‘s new gel blasters bring quality and innovation other brands can‘t match. I‘ve tested and reviewed all of Nerf‘s gel blaster lineup to help you discover the best model for your needs and budget.
In this guide, I‘ll provide an overview of how Nerf gel blasters work, key factors to consider when shopping, and my top recommendations across categories. I‘ll also share insider tips for beginners, a step-by-step guide to picking the right blaster, and answers to frequently asked questions. My goal is to equip you with the ultimate Nerf gel blaster buyer‘s guide so you can enjoy these exciting new toys to the fullest. Let‘s dive in!
How Do Nerf Gel Blasters Work?
Nerf entered the gel blaster scene in 2022. Unlike rival blasters that shoot foam balls, gel blasters fire small wet beads called gel balls that burst on impact. The ammo is non-toxic, biodegradable, and leaves little residue.
Inside Nerf gel blasters, an electronic motor pushes air to rapidly propel gel balls from the hopper through the barrel. The firing action, rate, and power varies by model. Nerf‘s current catalog includes manual, semi-auto, and full auto options.
While all ammo types work, you‘ll get the best distance and accuracy using Nerf‘s hydrated biodegradable gel balls designed specifically for their blasters.
Key Factors When Choosing a Gel Blaster
Here are the most important criteria to evaluate:
Power: Measured in FPS (feet per second), this determines velocity and impact force. Nerf rates their blasters from 50-80 FPS.
Firing modes: Single shot, semi-auto, full auto. Semi and full auto sustain rapid firing.
Hopper capacity: How many gel balls the blaster holds before reloading. Nerf hoppers fit 100 to 800 rounds.
Build quality: Durability of the materials, moving parts, and electronics. Nerf is renowned for quality and safety.
Price: Considering the above factors, Nerf gel blasters range from $12-$65. Premium editions cost more.
Keeping those criteria in mind, let’s explore top picks across blaster archetypes and budgets.
Best Overall: Nerf Gelfire Mythic
If you want a versatile, easy-to-use blaster that dominates gel wars, I highly recommend Nerf’s flagship gel blaster:
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The Mythic perfectly balances power, features, and price. According to Nerf, I found it‘s accurate up to 45 feet with impactful hits that get opponents‘ attention. The easy-access 800 round hopper minimizes reloading.
My favorite feature is the firing mode switch letting you toggle between economical semi-auto to empty a fully-auto clip in seconds. This versatility allows adapting your rate of fire as battles unfold. The included rechargeable battery powers thousands of shots per charge.
Design-wise, the Mythic has a premium tactical feel with an extendable stock, removable barrel, accessories rail, safety switch, and comfortable grip. The construction quality prevents jams even under heavy use. For entering gel wars or upgrading from a beginner blaster, the Nerf Gelfire Mythic is my #1 choice.
Pros
- Fires accurately up to 45 feet
- Large 800 gel ball hopper
- Semi-auto to full-auto firing modes
- Rechargeable battery lasts thousands of shots
- Solid, tactical design with lots of accessories
Cons
- A bit expensive for casual users
- No iron sights for precision aiming
Best on a Budget: Nerf Pro Gelfire Legion
If the Mythic stretches your budget, consider Nerf‘s simplest spring-action gel blaster, the Pro Gelfire Legion:
| | Specs | Details | |-|-| | Price | $11.99 | | Hopper Capacity | 130 rounds | | Firing Modes | Single shot | | Power Source | Manual spring piston | | FPS Rating | 55 FPS | | Extras | 5,000 gel balls, eyewear | |  |
As a manual single shot blaster, you cock the priming handle with each trigger pull. But the slam fire mechanism accelerates repeat shots almost like semi-auto. Despite no batteries, you can still achieve a quick firing rate thanks to the smart spring design.
Performance-wise, expect 10-30 foot ranges – perfect for close quarters battle. While smaller, the hopper fits a fair 130 rounds. Plus its cross-compatible with other Nerf models when you upgrade.
For the ultra-affordable price, the Legion makes gel warfare accessible for kids and beginners. The rugged build handles heavy use – an impressive feat for a manual blaster. Overall if you want to dip your toes into gel wars on a tight budget, grab the Legion.
Pros
- Extremely affordable price
- Slam fire enables fast repeat shots
- Cross-compatible 130 round hopper
- Durable full plastic construction
Cons
- Small hopper requires frequent reloading
- Short 10-30 foot range limits distance engagement
A Unique Alternative: Gelfire Mythic MrBeast
If you want a truly unique gel blaster, check out this special edition Nerf licensed one-of-a-kind MrBeast theme:
| | Specs | Details | |-|-| | Price | $52.49 | | Hopper Capacity | 300 rounds | | Firing Modes | Semi-auto | | Power Source | Rechargeable battery | | FPS Rating | 70 FPS | | Extras | 20,000 MrBeast logo gel balls | |  |
This officially licensed model blends the Mythic‘s proven gel blaster design with famous YouTuber MrBeast‘s branding. His logo embellishes the aesthetic while signature blue and yellow colors make this blaster unmistakable.
Performance sticks to the Mythic‘s standards but with amped velocity hitting 70 FPS – rivaling intermediate Airsoft guns! It shreds opponents up to 60 feet away. The 300-round streamlined hopper sustains decent firing duration.
Beyond looks, the MrBeast variant operates identically to the standard Mythic. It includes the versatile semi-auto firing, removable barrel, safety switch, and shoulder stock. Considering scarce availability and collectability, the special MrBeast edition fetches a higher but justifiable price.
Overall if you or your kids follow MrBeast and want a premium collector‘s item gel blaster with elite performance, this one‘s for you!
Pros
- Extremely rare MrBeast special edition
- Top-notch 70 FPS velocity and 60 foot range
- Standard Mythic semi-auto functionality
Cons
- High price for casual fans
- Collectability limits purchase options
How to Choose the Right Nerf Gel Blaster
Let me give you a step-by-step process to pick your ideal Nerf gel blaster:
Step 1: Set your budget
Nerf gel blasters range from $12 to $65. Premium or special editions run higher. Decide how much you can spend as that eliminates some options.
Step 2: Determine primary usage
Think about who the user is, their experience, where it‘ll be played with, and performance needs. Examples: indoor vs outdoor, close combat or distance sniping, battle frequency, etc.
Step 3: List the must-have features
Using that primary usage info, make wants and needs like manual vs powered, ammo capacity, FPS velocity, firing modes, etc. Rank by priority.
Step 4: Research options matching criteria
Browse Nerf‘s gel blaster lineup and models from other brands that fit your parameters and preferences.
Step 5: Compare candidates head-to-head
Look at spec sheets side-by-side paying attention to your prioritized desired features to pick 1-2 finalists.
Step 6: Select the winner
Evaluate the last contenders on paper then get hands-on if possible. Go with the one that best aligns with budget, performance needs and extra features you want.
While not an exciting process, this methodical approach ensures you select your dream Nerf gel blaster!
Insider Tips for Gel Blaster Beginners
As you jump into the world of Nerf gel blasters, keep these pro tips in mind:
Always wear eye protection – Nerf includes safe eyewear but any ANSI Z87.1+ rated goggles work. Protect your eyes from accidental hits.
Soak ammo properly – Nerf gel balls need 2-4 hours of water soaking to reach max expansion for best velocity and accuracy.
Pick a starter blaster that fits – Before dropping cash on premium blasters, try an entry model first so you learn your preferences.
Join Nerf fan groups – Enthusiasts share modding tricks, battle tactics, events, accessory reviews and more. The community makes the sport even more fun!
I hope those quick pro pointers give you a headstart enjoyment and success with Nerf gel blasters!
Frequently Asked Questions
What‘s the best Nerf gel blaster overall?
The Nerf Gelfire Mythic hits the optimal balance of power, ammo capacity, range, and well-rounded performance making it my top overall pick.
What‘s the strongest Nerf gel blaster?
The limited edition Nerf Gelfire Mythic MrBeast edition clocks the highest 70 FPS muzzle velocity giving it unmatched power and 60 foot engagement distances rivaling intermediate Airsoft guns.
How much does Nerf gel blaster ammo hurt?
At safety maximum legal speeds under 90 FPS, Nerf gel rounds sting slightly worse than Rival foam balls. Using protective eyewear, it’s mild and harmless pain. Higher black market modified blasters over 100+ FPS start approaching hazardous levels unfit for human targets though and should be avoided.
Can any gel balls work in Nerf blasters?
You can substitute any .50 caliber biodegradable rounds into Nerf hoppers but some generic gels don’t achieve max expansion size which reduces performance. For guaranteed compatibility and results, use Nerf’s brand name ammo.
I hope this complete guide to finding the best Nerf gel blaster for your needs was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions!
