By: Jeremy Alden
When you begin searching for the right gun for your 11-year-old son or daughter, think about the following factors: Ammo Capacity, Style and Design, Ammunition, Speed Power, & Weight.
After we detail the top 5 guns, we share everything you need to know about these factors to help you pick the one that is right for you.
Sine these are all fairly powerful blasters, I highly recommend picking up some eye protection.
My Top Picks: Best Nerf Guns for 11-Year-Olds:
Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire Blaster (Best for Beginners)
Nerf Rival Artemis XVII-3000 (Most Powerful)
Nerf Modulus Regulator (Top Pick)
Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage Sonic Ice Series Blaster (Best Design)
Nerf N-Strike Mega Mega Mastodon (Best for Experienced Nerf Users)
- Kids can build their blaster for any mission or battle with the fully motorized Nerf Regulator blaster!
- With SwitchFire Technology choose 1 of 3 firing modes; flip the switch to choose single fire to fire 1 dart per trigger pull; select burst fire to blast several darts per trigger pull; and switch to continuous fire to continuously fire the darts.
- Load darts into both 12 dart clips insert 1 into the blaster and store the other 1 in the storage stock. Power up the motor by holding down the acceleration button and then let the darts fly! The indicator light blinks to let battlers know the clip is empty.
- Customize the blaster with the swivel handle to stabilize shots and the 2 barrel scopes that can be used as barrel extensions or targeting scopes.
- Expand the customizing options with Nerf Modulus accessories and upgrade kits (each sold separately).
- Dominate Nerf blaster battles with the first-ever motorized Nerf MEGA blaster!
- The Nerf MEGA Mastodon blaster boasts incredible rapid-fire speeds to send MEGA Whistler darts screaming through the air from its integrated 24-dart drum.
- Bring the MEGA Mastodon blaster into action to overwhelm opponents with its imposing size.
- Use the shoulder strap for easy maneuvering to be ready for Nerf battles anytime anywhere. Includes shoulder strap and 24 MEGA Whistler Darts
- The Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire blaster is the fastest-firing Nerf dart blaster.
- This fully motorized blaster unleashes up to 5 darts per second with fresh batteries, so kids can rain down a deluge of darts onto targets.
- Press the acceleration button, pull the trigger, and let the rapid-fire action begin!
- The drum holds up to 25 Elite darts, giving battlers plenty of firepower to stay in the game.
- Take opponents by surprise with the dart-firing speed of the Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire blaster!
- Blast Elite darts up to 90 feet (27 meters) with the Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire blaster. As the fastest-firing Nerf dart blaster, this N-Strike Elite blaster rapidly sends the darts flying across the battlefield. It comes with 25 Elite darts that load into the 25-dart drum.
- The acceleration button fires up the blaster’s motorized mechanism as kids choose their target.
1. Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire Blaster
The first gun on this list manages to meet all of the requirements listed in the buyer’s guide.
The Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire Blaster is a gun that has the ability to fire up to five Nerf darts per second, contains a dart drum that can hold up to 25 bullets, and can launch bullets up to 90 feet.
- Fires up to 5 darts per second with fresh batteries
- 25-dart drum
- Fires darts up to 90 feet (27 meters) and comes with 25 Elite darts
- English (Publication Language)
While the capabilities of the Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire Blaster are impressive, there are some complications that should be mentioned.
The first one is that this gun requires four D batteries in order to operate. This wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the fact that D batteries are quite heavy and this gun is known to go through batteries quickly.
Here is my recommendation for batteries for your Nerf blaster.
The second problem is that this gun has been rumored to jam and there is no way to reach in and fix the gun because it is designed to prevent you from getting inside and fixing it.
However, these issues shouldn’t prevent you from looking into this gun as an option for your 11-year-old.
Things We Like:
- Contains Dart Drum That Can Hold Up to 25 Bullets
- Long Range Allows for Great Indoor and Outdoor Battles
- Firing Power Gives User Ability to Shoot Many Darts Quickly
- Affordable Price for Good Gun
Things We Don’t Like As Much:
- Jams and Is Unable to Be Fixed
- Takes Heavy Batteries and Goes Through Them Quickly
- Slightly Heavy and Awkward to Carry
2. Nerf Rival Artemis XVII-3000
The Nerf Rival Artemis XVII-3000 separates itself from the rest of the blasters that Nerf has made because it uses high-impact foam ball rounds rather than regular bullets.
Besides this change in ammunition, the Nerf Rival Artemis XVII-3000 is able to launch its high-impact rounds at 100 feet per second, has a rotating barrel that can carry up to 30 of these rounds, and uses a pump cocking mechanism to prepare each round for firing.
- High capacity blaster holds 30 high-impact rounds
- Rotating barrel
- Easy-load integrated magazine
- Slam-fire action
- Includes blaster, 30 rounds, and instructions
Frankly, this is a great Nerf blaster that should be considered when you start looking for a Nerf gun for your 11-year-old. It’s fast, easy to reload, can hold a lot of ammunition. T
here is also very few complaints and the blaster itself seems to be perfect.
The best part?
This version of the gun is an upgrade from the previous one. If this one is a little outside your budget, you can purchase a simpler version for $10 less.
Things We Like:
- Affordable Price
- Plenty of Ammo Capacity
- Rotating Barrels So You Won’t Have to Reload Constantly
- Pump-Action Cocking Eliminates the Need for Batteries
- Fires Rounds at 100 FPS
Things We Don’t Like As Much:
- Nothing!
3. Nerf Modulus Regulator
The Nerf Modulus Regulator, although thinner and smaller than some of the Nerf blasters known for their capacities and accessories, is a monster in its own right.
The Nerf Modulus Regulator, unlike many other blasters, gives you the ability to choose from three different firing options: single-fire shooting, burst-fire shooting, and continuous-fire shooting.
The blaster can shoot up to 12 bullets at a time, which are stored in an ammo clip, and can carry another 12-bullet clip in the storage stock of the weapon.
Along with these features, the blaster also has a swivel handle at the front that can be held onto for better accuracy, two different attachable barrel scopes, and an indicator that lets you know when you have run out of bullets to fire.
- NERF MODULUS REGULATOR BLASTER WITH SWITCHFIRE TECHNOLOGY FOR 3 FIRING MODES: Single-fire 1 dart per trigger pull, burst-fire several darts per trigger pull, or continuous-fire all the darts
- FULLY MOTORIZED NERF BLASTER, 2 CLIPS AND 24 DARTS: This Nerf automatic blaster includes 2x 12-dart clips and 24 Nerf Elite foam darts. Requires 4x 1.5v C alkaline batteries (not included)
- INCLUDES NERF ACCESSORIES: Includes 2 attachable barrel-scopes that can be used as extension barrels or targeting scopes, and an attachable swivel handle to stabilize your aim
- STORAGE STOCK: With 2 clips included, you can load 1 clip into the dart blaster and store the second clip in the stock to keep it nearby for reloads. The swivel handle also stores in the stock
- FUN KIDS OUTDOOR TOYS: Nerf toys for boys and girls can be used for indoor or outdoor games for kids!
There are a few downsides but they are only minor inconveniences at best.
This blaster requires four C batteries in order to operate, which can be costly over time if the gun uses batteries quickly.
Things We Like:
- 3 Different Firing Options Allow for Flexibility in Battle
- Comes With Accessories, Saving You Money
- Large Ammo Capacity
- Comes With Storage for Easier Access During Battle
Things We Don’t Like As Much:
- Requires four C Batteries to Operate
- Somewhat Out of a Normal Budget Range
4. Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage Sonic Ice Series Blaster
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage Sonic Ice Series Blaster is perfect for those who are looking for a blaster with a large ammo capacity without having to deal with the hassle of electronics.
Much like the Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire Blaster, the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage Sonic Ice Series Blaster has a drum that is able to hold up to 25 Nerf darts.
Unlike the first gun, however, this blaster uses a pump cocking mechanism rather than batteries to launch the darts. This blaster is capable of shooting darts up to 75 feet.
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There are not too many downsides about this blaster except for the price.
Still, it is said to hold up fairly well and, considering its capacity, this is a good gun if your 11-year-old intends on using it frequently.
Things We Like:
- Large Ammo Capacity
- Pump Action Saves Money
- Long Range Works Well for Indoor and Outdoor Battles
Things We Don’t Like As Much:
- High Price Tag
5. Nerf N-Strike Mega Mega Mastodon
The Nerf N-Strike Mega Mega Mastodon is aptly named because of its monstrous size.
We put together a FULL review here of the Mega Mega Mastodon.
This blaster comes equipped with 24 mega whistling darts, has a drum that is motorized and capable of holding 24 mega darts that can fly up to 100 feet, includes a handle, strap, and other equipment to assist you in keeping the gun pointed up.
- N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance
- Mega Series blasters feature Mega Whistler Darts that scream through the air
- Defend against a zombie invasion with ZombieStrike blasters
- Ignite the night with FireVision sports gear that glows when thrown
- Raise your game with the Pro-Grip Football and Nerfoop basketball set
This gun is quite heavy, partially because of the six D batteries that are required to operate it, and should only be handled by those who don’t mind carrying the mastodon around on their shoulders.
Things We Like:
- Long Range Works Well for Indoor and Outdoor Games
- Motorized Drum for Fast Firing
- Comes With Accessories to Help Support Weight
Things We Don’t Like As Much:
- High Price Tag
- Heavy Despite Helpful Accessories
- Requires Batteries
- Only Uses Mega Ammunition
Out of all of the guns listed above, we recommend the Nerf Modulus Regulator or the Hyperfire.
Even though the price is a little higher than some of the other guns on the top-five list, the ammo capacity, the accessories included with the gun, and the firing options make it a steal.
However, if you’re on a budget but you still want a high-quality gun and your 11-year-old doesn’t care about ammo, you should purchase the Nerf Rival Artemis XVII-3000.
If you’ve liked any of the guns recommended on this list, you can purchase them by clicking on the links below.
Nerf Gun Buyer’s Guide: The Best Nerf Guns for 11-Year-Olds
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips:
1. Ammo Capacity
If your child already has Nerf battles with you or their friends, you’ve probably heard about how frustrating it can be to work with a gun that has low ammo capacity.
They constantly need to be reloaded by hand and it becomes less fun when kids have to stop playing and reload every 30 seconds.
To avoid this, choose a gun that has high ammo capacity and needs to be reloaded less frequently. You can seek out a gun that uses clips so that it’s easy and quick to reload; clips can be preloaded and kept on hand for when their ammo runs out.
However, keep in mind that these types of qualities and accessories may or may not come along with an expensive price tag.
2. Style and Design
How a gun looks and how a gun is designed is just as important to older kids as how many bullets it can hold or how well it fires.
Nerf guns come in a lot of different colors and styles, so there are plenty of options to choose from. For example, some of the styles that you can currently choose from include Nerf Zombies, Nerf Rebelle, and Nerf Doomlands.
When it comes to design, there are several models of guns that can be modified to carry extra ammo, sights, and other accessories.
The best part is that these type of accessories and modifications can either be made by Nerf or by a third party to fit existing Nerf models. If your 11-year-old is really into Nerf, the way that their gun is designed is important.
3. Nerf Darts
While it might not seem like a big deal, the type of ammunition that is used by the gun that you will purchase for you child is important.
Some Nerf guns are designed to work only with certain types of bullets, rendering them incompatible with other models.
Make sure that you research a gun and its type of ammunition before you purchase it. If you purchase a gun that can only shoot elite darts but your child wants to be able to shoot older velcro rounds or foam balls at their friends, you are going to end up having to purchase another gun.
On that note, it is probably best that you purchase a gun that can handle more of the modern rounds. Special ammunition can become expensive quick, especially if your child is prone to losing bullets or destroying them.
Buying a Nerf gun that handles normal bullets will still cost you but it will be less than purchasing packs of custom bullets.
4. Speed Power
There are Nerf guns that can only shoot a bullet up to five feet and there are others that can shoot a bullet up to 90 feet while still managing to hit the target with force. It is more than likely that your child will want a gun that can do the latter.
Search for a gun that can spit out a decent amount of bullets at once and hit a target far away in an indoor environment as well as an outdoor environment. Nerf has all kinds of guns that range from skinny to large that meet these two requirements.
If your child is looking for mostly range and doesn’t care about bullet type, you should look into the Nerf guns that shoot foam balls. These types of guns are typically both far range and powerful.
5. Weight
Your child may think that bigger is better but they will soon realize that it is no fun to carry around a 7-pound Nerf gun all day.
Besides this, the goliath Nerf guns have a tendency to eat away at batteries and require so much reloading that it can become frustrating quickly.
Instead, look for a Nerf gun that can meet all of the requirements above while still being a size that your child is capable of handling.
You don’t want to purchase a gun for them that will be so heavy that they will never use it again.
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 [email protected]
