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Unlike paintball or airsoft, shooting gel blasters brings out not just the competitive spirit but also that childlike, playful, and cheerful disposition in all of us. However, not all gel blasters are created equal. Some are flimsy while some are made to last for decades. Some are bland while some are creatively designed. And if you’re not careful, you could end up wasting time and money on the former kind and cut the fun time short — broken or jammed gel blaster can turn advent merriment into an upsetting nonevent.
So, to make sure you’re getting top-quality gel blasters that are ready to rock and roll all day, here are 8 of the best ones in the market today. On top of that, you’ll also discover the important factors to consider when buying a gel blaster so you can make educated decisions yourself in the future. Let’s fire away!
What Is a Gel Blaster?
Also commonly referred to as a splatter ball gun, gel gun, hydro blaster, or water bead blaster, a gel blaster is basically a toy gun that uses pressurized air to shoot gel beads (superabsorbent sodium polyacrylate). The general firing mechanics is similar to airsoft and paintball guns usually comprising a coil spring piston air pump that is either manually cocked or powered by an electric motor gearbox. And the gel blaster’s design is often based on popular military firearms like the Glock pistol and Remington ACR.
As for the gel beads projectiles, they are soft, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and (usually) non-staining which makes shooting both fun and harmless — perfectly safe for kids, and even ideal for indoor use because they leave no mess. Also, they are cheap and easily transported in packets.
Now, preparing them is rather simple. Just soak them for a few hours (>4 hours preferably) before using. A nifty tip is to use a 1-gallon bucket of clean water to hydrate a pack of 10,000 gel beads — gel beads expand exponentially and are made up of water in about 97% of mass and volume. And whenever you’re ready, drain the excess water off, load the gel beads into the gel blaster, and shoot. Easy peasy!
The Best Gel Blasters Today
SplatRball SRB1200 Gel Blaster Kit
SplatRball is one of the most renowned gel blaster manufacturers and their SRB1200 is among the best out there. The name is derived from its 1,200-round drum magazine capacity. This full-auto gel blaster shoots up to 210 feet per second (FPS) of 7.5mm SplatRBall ammo with 11 rounds per second fire rate.
It is powered by a 7.4V 1800mAh rechargeable battery which can last up to 5,000 shots when fully charged. If you’re into aesthetics, you’ll appreciate the futuristic touch of the integrated blue LED light bar on both sides.
What’s more? You’re getting a complete set — one blaster, detachable stock, 6,000 rounds of SplatRBalls, rechargeable battery with charging cable, collapsible funnel for quick magazine loading, safety glasses, and one water-activated target. And because it is made of high-quality ABS and Nylon composite body, durability is not in question.
PROS
- Great ballistic performance
- High capacity
- Complete set
- Durable
CONS
- On the pricier side
Nerf Pro Gelfire Mythic Blaster
If you’re looking for one with substantial magazine capacity with a big stock of gel beads ammo, then the Nerf Pro Gelfire Mythic is. That’s because it is an automatic blaster (full auto and semi-auto modes) with an 800-round quick-swap hopper and 10,000 dehydrated Nerf Pro Gelfire soft super projectiles right out of the box. Fires up to 10 rounds per second at a high velocity.
When it comes to the inclusions, you’re getting an extendable stock, removable barrel attachment, protective eyewear, trigger lock, tactical rails, universal USB-A to USB-C charging cable for the 7.4V 500mAh rechargeable battery, and instructions.
PROS
- Substantial magazine capacity
- Easy to fire
- Complete set
- Lightweight
CONS
- Small battery capacity
- Rounds may stain
SplatRBall SRB400 Gel Blaster Kit
Another great gel blaster from SplatRBall is the SRB400. This time, as the name implies, the difference is the magazine’s capacity which is at 400. It is a full and semi-auto gel blaster. In full-auto mode, up to 8 rounds per second are sent downrange at a velocity of up to 200 FPS. Just like its big brother, it is also powered by a rechargeable 7.4V 1800mAh battery.
On top of that, you’re getting important inclusions out of the box — one electric gel blaster, detachable stock, 5,000 rounds of SplatRBall ammo, rechargeable battery with charging cable, SplatRBall hydrator, safety glasses, and water-activated target. Same durability with its high-quality ABS and Nylon composite body.
PROS
- Good ballistic performance
- Easy to use
- Complete set
- Durable
CONS
- Small magazine capacity
SKD Blaster Splatter Ball Gun
Planning on shooting, playing, or competing in the dark? Then the SKD blaster gel blaster is your man. It’s got a special flashlight that lights up the night with each blasting which looks cool and futuristic too. And with this blaster, you don’t have to worry about missing the target both near and far for it can fire 15 rounds per second at the velocity of 150 FPS and can reach up to 100 ft!
Furthermore, the company took it one step further and added intelligent IC battery protection to prevent overcharging, overheating, and other charging and electrical problems. Out of the box, you’re getting 10,000 gel balls, a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with a USB charging cable, a hopper, a hopper mount, safety glasses, and a manual.
PROS
- Great firing rate
- Superior range
- Affordable
- Lightweight
CONS
- No aiming sight and the hopper on top impedes accuracy
Anstoy M4A1 Gel Blaster
If you’re a big fan of military assault rifles or the Call of Duty Modern Warfare series, then the Anstoy M4A1 will make you utterly delighted. It is for those who want to look Rambo-esque on the playing field. Not to mention it is also expandable and highly modifiable so you can personalize it to your liking.
When it comes to the firing performance, it shoots 8-10 gel beads per second reaching up to 65 feet (20 meters) range at an astonishing 280 FPS. No corners are cut in terms of durability too as it is made of high-quality ABS and Nylon composite body complemented by a twist lock buffer tube, handguard, and full nylon gears and internals.
As for the magazine, it comes standard with a 200-gel bead hopper capacity which can be upgraded to a drum type that can hold 1,000 ammo at once. Out-of-the-box inclusions are an M4A1 gel blaster, hopper, removable scope, front sight, 7.4V rechargeable battery, USB charging cable, 2500 gel beads, orange muzzle, and safety glasses.
PROS
- Real tactical feel
- Superior ballistic velocity
- Complete set
- Highly modifiable
CONS
- Very small magazine capacity (upgrade is purchased separately)
SplatRBall SRB400-SUB Gel Blaster Gun Kit
If you’re wondering what the difference between this and the SRB400 is, it is the amount of ammo you’re getting right out of the box — 10,000 rounds of SplatRBall gel beads this time.
Also, a sling and sling clip on top of the usual rechargeable 7.4V 1800mAh battery with a charging cable and safety glasses. More good news? This is the cheapest in the SplatRBall SRB series.
PROS
- Renowned company
- Good ballistic performance
- Complete set
- Durable
CONS
- Small magazine capacity
Anstoy AKM-47 Gel Blaster
Another popular military-esque gel blaster from Anstoy is the AKM-47. This one is the Gen 4 which is an upgrade and introduces wear-resistant gears and new generation motors and overall improved for better stability. It shoots 5 gel beads per second at a velocity of 181 FPS with a 65-70 feet (20-21 meters) range.
What you’re getting are one AKM-47 blaster, a 1,200mAh rechargeable battery with a USB charging cable, safety glasses, 2 hoppers, and 2 x 10,000 gel beads. Same durable ABS construction material.
PROS
- Good range
- Durable
- Complete set
- Good battery capacity
CONS
- Magazine capacity not mentioned
Breath Relief Upgraded Gel Blaster Gun
The Breath Relief automatic toy blaster gun is powered by a rechargeable battery and made of high-quality ABS and Nylon composite materials. The best part? It comes with 20,000 counts of 6mm gel beads. That’s right! No more spending additional time and money to buy extra ammo. It’s got more than you need even for a day-long of blasting.
To sum up the entire package, you’re getting: a scorpion gel blaster gun, 4 x 5,000 pcs of gel beads, a hopper, vertical grip, flame arrester, safety glasses, 2 target papers, battery with USB charging cable, and manual.
PROS
- Powerful
- Good range
- Reasonable price
- Easy to fire
CONS
- Magazine capacity not mentioned
Factors to Consider When Buying a Gel Blaster
Range: This is subjective to personal preference and what you’re gonna use it for. Most gel blasters have a range of about 50 feet which is ideal for playing with kids because the projectile force is not that strong. On the other hand, for competitive purposes, you might wanna consider something with a higher range of 70 feet or more to maintain a range advantage. Just know, however, that a gel blaster with a longer range often comes with a bigger price tag.
Capacity: Whether you’re pelting each other with gel beads or have countless targets, running out of ammo could mean defeat or simply having to interrupt to acquire and reload while everyone else is having a blast — you don’t wanna be that guy who is anticlimactic and a killjoy, do you? That said, choose a good gel blaster with a substantial magazine capacity so you can shoot more and reload less.
Weight: Another important factor that is often overlooked in a gel blaster is the weight. Choose one that is as light as possible so it won’t slow you down. Not only will you be more agile with a lightweight gel blaster but also your arms will thank you later (unless you wanna shoot and lift weights at the same time). Especially if you’re buying it for your kids (or old folks), you want something they can carry and shoot effortlessly.
Durability: What good is a gel blaster if it jams every minute or can’t last until the next season? Thus, when shopping, scrutinize the construction and material used. Go over buyer reviews and product testers. And when you do, be objective and wary of paid statements or mere badmouthing product competitors. Any reports of it breaking after falling just a few inches high? Does it jam or clog easily? If it is the rechargeable type, how’s the battery life and charging holding up? Know these and you won’t have to flush your hard-earned money down the drain.
Price: Speaking of money, never judge a gel blaster by its price tag. That’s because cheap doesn’t always mean “junk” and expensive doesn’t always mean “quality”. Instead of focusing on the price, focus on the value. Look into its features. Are the benefits you’re getting worth their weight in gold? Are the claims legit? Any better alternatives (perhaps one that can hold 800 gel beads instead of 1000 but at half the price)? With that in mind, take time to juxtapose and do the math and your financial advisor (or accountant wife) will be proud of you!
Time to Have Fun with a Splatter Gun!
There’s nothing quite like the fun and excitement brought by shooting with and against your family and friends using gel blasters. Thanks to their harmless gel beads projectiles, you can become a badass backyard commando like Rambo or bring out the playful carefree spirit in all of us. So, get your hands on one (or several) of the aforementioned gel blasters and make fun memories and enjoy the best moments of your life!