The Best Toy Water Guns

Few things beat the heat quite like toy water guns. For decades, children and adults alike have enjoyed rousing battles with water blasters under the hot sun. 

If it’s time to add a water arsenal to your outdoor toy collection, don’t bother scrolling through pages and pages of choices. Through deep research, we have set our sights and taken aim and found the best of the best toy water guns.

Here are the best toy water guns money can buy. 

Best Nerf Super Soakers

With Super Soakers, the water capacity is important so that you are not refilling your blaster constantly.  The inexpensive NERF Fortnite is a pistol that holds up to 7.4 fluid oz; the pricier Nerf Super Soaker Soakzooka holds an impressive 55 fluid oz with a handle that blasts the water; and the reasonably priced Nerf Scatterblast Blaster tank can hold 22 fluid oz plus shoots 5 streams of water powered by a pump handle.  

Nerf Super Soaker Scatterblast Blaster

The Nerf Super Soaker Scatterblast Blaster is a classic winner in the world of water guns.

It’s hard to beat a Nerf Super Soaker in a water gunfight. The first Super Soaker hit shelves and rocked the world in 1990. Since then, 200 million Super Soakers in 175 styles have been sold!

We all know the Super Soaker name, but why does this particular model make the “best of” list? The unique feature of this water gun lies in why it’s named “Scatterblast.” Instead of one large stream, this blaster shoots out 5 streams of water simultaneously, guaranteeing a soaking! 

The scatter blast is powered by a pump handle instead of a trigger, allowing the shooter to give it that extra “oomph”! The non-pumping hand can rest on the specially designed handle for an easy grip.

While seeking out their target, your child will have perfect aim, thanks to a fun flip-up sight! Using this sight, they can aim and direct their shot from 34 feet away!

PROS

• Shoots out 5 streams of water
• Large water reservoir (22-ounce)
• 34-foot range

CONS

• Pricier than other options

Nerf Super Soaker Soakzooka

The Nerf Super Soaker Soakzooka is fun for the whole family! 

While buying multiples would add up quickly, this super soaker offers a larger capacity for more fun. The pull-back trigger water gun is perfect for a day of family fun in sun without breaking the bank.

For such a small package, this gun packs a punch. Its reservoir holds almost 55 ounces of water and can shoot water up to 25 feet! If the temperature really starts to soar and colder water would hit the spot, the gun’s tank is perfectly sized for an ice cube or two!

These super little water guns are suitable for ages 7 and up. The handle is sized just right for small and large hands while the trigger is easy to pull. Meanwhile, this gun weighs less than two-pounds without water, keeping it lightweight enough for even younger kids.

In this box, you’ll receive 1 blue, white, and orange massive super soaker. Make sure everyone has a water gun of their own. Once everyone is armed, it’s time for a family water fight!

PROS

• Can hold 55 ounces of water
• Shoots up to 25 feet
• Easy to pull trigger

CONS

• Can break easily if not used properly
• A little pricy

NERF Fortnite HC-E Super Soaker Toy Water Blaster

The NERF Fortnite HC-E Super Soaker Toy Water Blaster is the perfect soaker for your favorite Fortnite fan!

With 350 million players as of May 2020, there’s a strong chance you have a Fortnite player in your house! Nerf decided to capitalize on the game’s popularity by releasing a Fortnite-style Super Soaker. 

While this pistol-like water gun comes in fun bright colors, don’t let your guard down in a fight. The reservoir holds a respectable 7.5 ounces while the trigger unleashes a powerful stream at opponents. 

In a water fight, your child will easily wipe out the competition, thanks to how easy this gun is to shoot. They also won’t be held up by refill stops, because filling this gun is super easy and quick.

Nerf recommends this gun be kept for children 6 years and older though, so your younger children will have to wait to try this gun (and probably Fortnite)!

PROS

• From popular video game Fortnite
• Easy to shoot
• Easy to refill

CONS

• Not intended for children under 6 years old

Check out our top Nerf gun recommendations for when it’s time to go inside. 

Best Value Toy Water Guns

About the same price, the 4 Pack Super Water Guns holds 20 fluid oz and shoots up to 20 ft; whereas the JOYIN 3 Pack Super Soakers only holds 15 fluid oz but shoots further at 35 feet.  

4 Pack Super Water Gun

The 4 Pack Super Water Gun is a lightweight and sleek water gun.

Here, we have another combination pack that is perfect for families! When you have multiple kids, you eventually learn it’s best to keep things even and fair. With this 4-pack of water guns, you get nearly identical guns, only differentiated by their color schemes.

These guns mimic a pistol-style, so they are a one-handed operation, unlike pump-action guns. This style keeps the toy guns compact and lightweight, making them perfect for a water battle in a wide-open space with room to run! They also make a fun addition to a pool or beach day.

The manufacturer promises these water pistols are strong and watertight. They are safe too with ABS plastic material. Also, they are large capacity and ready for battling for hours of fun. 

PROS

• Lightweight and compact
• 20-foot reach
• Money-back guarantee
• Large water tank

CONS

• None!

JOYIN 3pc Water Gun Blaster

The JOYIN 3pc Water Gun Blaster is a powerful Super Soaker lookalike!

If you’re looking for a gun with water capacity, this is the one for you. Inside these neon-colored blasters is a mighty 30-ounce tank. A large reservoir means the fun won’t be interrupted by refills!

Your kids will be going the distance, thanks to the range of these guns. Both guns can produce a powerful stream of water that reaches up to 35 feet!

At 15.7 inches long and 7.48 inches tall, this gun is one of the larger ones on the list. Furthermore, instead of a trigger, this gun is activated with a pump. This involves more coordination than a typical trigger.

Due to their size, water tank capacity, and pump-action motion, these guns are better suited for older children who can handle it better. If you, mom, want to join in the water fun, this is a great choice for you!

PROS

• Large water reservoir (30-ounce)
• 35-feet reach

CONS

• Leaks 
• No trigger

Long Range Water Gun for Kids 

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 is a big and powerful water gun with a massive water tank. 

At first glance, I misread the name of this water gun to be “Monsoon.” While it is not, it would be an appropriate name for this blaster because it will positively drench you!

What makes this water gun so splashy? For one, the impressive 35-ounce water capacity practically guarantees any opponents will be soaked. To help visualize, that’s about 3.5 soda bottles worth of water!

What about distance? How far away can a younger sibling run and still be a target for that water stream? They would have to get pretty far to escape the nearly 40-foot range of the MOZOOSON water gun. 

This guy is a pump-action style water gun. It isn’t activated with a trigger, but rather it has a handle that must be pumped to release the water. Some parents prefer to avoid guns like this for younger children because they aren’t able to complete the motion properly. However, older children with some water gun experience can take to such a style with few issues.

PROS

• Large water reservoir (35-ounce)
• Nearly 50-foot reach

CONS

• Some find the pump-action difficult 

Best Backpack Toy Water Guns

The slightly more expensive Prextex Fireman Backpack Water Blaster is a fun fireman’s backpack that can hold almost a gallon of water and shoots almost 30 feet.  The Paw Patrol Water Rescue Pack, based on the popular Nickelodeon show, holds 33 oz of water and shoots 30 feet of water.  

Prextex Fireman Backpack Water Shooter and Blaster with Fire Hat

The Prextex Fireman Backpack Water Shooter and Blaster with Fire Hat is a red-hot water gun option!

This gift is on fire! Your little firefighter will adore this backpack water shooter. The tank can hold almost a gallon of water, meaning less time at the faucet for refills. The tank connects to an extinguisher water gun which can shot nearly 30 feet!

The backpack’s straps are adjustable so kids of all sizes can join in the firefighting fun. While the straps are sturdy, a gallon of water can be hefty on a little back, so be advised. 

When the temperatures start to drop and playtime heads indoors, this firefighter backpack water blaster becomes a dress-up time staple. And that’s not all! The blaster comes with an adjustable firefighter’s helmet as well!

PROS

• Large water reservoir 
• Doubles as a dress-up accessory

CONS

• Can be heavy when full 

Paw Patrol Water Rescue Pack Toy

For the Paw Patrol fan in your life, hook them up with this Water Rescue Pack Toy. They will feel just like Marshall blasting 33 ounces of water from their pack up to 30 feet away! 

Your child can wear this pack on their back well with adjustable straps. Simply pump the hose to squirt water and put out “fires” wherever necessary! 

Parents say their children have a ton of fun wearing this water rescue pack and running around. Even without water in the pack, children have fun wearing it inside when role-playing as their favorite Paw Patrol pup.

PROS

• Carries 33 ounces of water
• Shoots up to 30 feet away
• Pack is wearable on back
• Adjustable straps

CONS

• May leak

Water guns and water slides are a match made in hot summer heaven. Check out our list of the best inflatable water slides! 

Comparing Toy Water Guns

The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.

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Buying Criteria for Toy Water Guns

Type and Style

On this list, we review three different types of water guns: trigger squeeze style, pump-action style, and plunger-style. While all are big fun, their ease of use varies.

The trigger style is pretty self-explanatory; it has a trigger that needs to be pushed. In general, younger children can handle trigger-style guns easier. It’s a fairly uncomplicated fine motor skill most toddlers have mastered. 

Pump-action style is what you tend to see with larger guns. The user has to pull back to a pump handle and then push it forward to release the water. The maneuver is slightly more complicated than a trigger, so these water guns tend to be better suited for older children. 

Plunger-style guns are less common. These guns require the handler to pull back a rod which then propels the water out. 

Water Capacity

Capacity is vital. How much water can the water gun hold? It’s so important because this determines how often you’ll have to refill the water fun for your child! I’m sure you know the pain of refilling a water gun for the 20th time in one day. 

Even if your child is capable of refilling their own water gun, they’ll still appreciate a larger water reservoir that doesn’t interrupt the fun!

A larger water reservoir may seem like the automatic best choice, but remember, they add bulk to water guns. The heavier a gun, the harder to carry. 

Quantity

Why is the quantity a buying criterion for toy water guns, exactly? Shouldn’t you pick the best single gun and purchase it? In a perfect world, yes, but in the actual world, having duplicates can be a lifesaver.

Let’s review some scenarios. Scenario one: You purchase a water gun for your oldest son, assuming your two younger daughters won’t be interested. Of course, they are and now they want water guns too. If you’ve purchased a set with multiple water guns, you’re good to go.

Scenario two: Your kid has their friends over! A water gun fight isn’t quite the same with only one gun. If you have extras on hand, friends are never left out.

These scenarios don’t apply to everyone. If you have an only child, completely uninterested siblings, or friends all well-armed in water artillery, the water gun packs won’t appeal to you. In that case, a single water gun is all you need! 

Colors

With water gun toys, choose guns that are brightly colored and avoid any guns that look realistic. Bright neon colors help differentiate a toy from a true weapon. This is important in terms of gun safety. 

In fact, in some areas, the color of water gun toys is a legal issue. In the state of New York, businesses can only sell toy guns if the toy is a bright neon color. Black, gray, and camouflage guns are not permitted. 

In an abundance of caution, this list only includes brightly-colored water guns.

FAQs About Toy Water Guns

Is it safe to allow children to play with toy water guns?

In the current cultural climate, there are many debates about if children should be allowed to play with water guns. While these toys only shoot harmless water, they mimic a very real and deadly weapon. What do the experts have to say on the matter though?

In general, if parents allow water guns, experts recommend removing violent elements from play, i.e. no one should be “killed” during the game. Also, all parents should discuss gun safety with their children. 

Physically, water guns are generally considered safe. Kids should be told to never aim for anyone’s eyes, of course. Water gun fights also involve a lot of running around, so make sure your children are outfitted in proper shoes. 

What are the benefits of playing with toy water guns?

I’ll start this answer with the benefit you as a parent want to hear the most: toy water guns get your kids outside and moving! Momma, if you need to vacuum or prepare dinner or just read a book without a kid or two running around you, hand them some water guns and tell them to go crazy. 

Most kids aren’t active enough. The CDC recommends school children between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a day. What about younger kids? Turns out, preschoolers should be moving around most of their waking hours!

Toy water guns are an easy way to get your kids outdoors and running around. Not only that, but it can encourage skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and hand-eye coordination. The fun multiplies with more participants, so invite some friends over!