The 10 Best Nerf Rival Blasters
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in May of 2020. While most are familiar with classic Nerf dart blasters, not as many are familiar with the newer Rival series that fires small foam balls instead. This series offers considerable advantages, such as increased accuracy, impact, and reliability. While they're still definitely safe enough to be used by children, these skew toward older users and are ideal for those in the adult Nerf scene. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Nemesis MXVII-10K
2. Kronos XVIII-500
3. Helios XVIII-700
Editor's Notes
June 09, 2020:
If you're looking for the absolute best blaster possible and price is no concern at all, models like the Nemesis MXVII-10K, Perses MXIX-5000, and Prometheus MXVII-20K are worth considering. These blasters justify their cost by incorporating all of the latest technology Nerf has to offer, such as flywheel mechanisms that enable fully automatic fire and rechargeable battery packs that increase power and reduce long term costs. They all utilize a hopper loading system, which not only increases ammo capacity but also means that reloading is as simple as opening a hatch and pouring new balls in.
Options like the Hera MXVII-1200 or Charger MXX-1200 are good if you want the convenience of motorized firing but aren't sure about the substantial cost. The compact Hera lacks a hopper feeding system, but its use of standard Rival magazines means that ammo storage and reloading are still quite easy to deal with. The Charger on the other hand uses a 12 round internal magazine. It's definitely less convenient to reload during a battle, but it offers substantially more savings than the Hera and is by far the cheapest motorized blaster in the series. Both offer semi-automatic fire.
Spring powered blasters may seem old-school in this day in age, but many still prefer them because they offer quieter operation than motorized options, don't require the user to worry about expensive batteries or rechargeable packs, and are generally lower in price. The Hypnos XIX-1200, Artemis XVII-3000, and Kronos XVIII-500 are all great spring powered options that offer unique pros and cons. The Hypnos is for those who want a spring powered option but don't want to sacrifice other advanced features such as external magazine compatibility. The Artemis offers more savings than the Hypnos since it ditches such advanced features, but it's still a reasonable option in a battle since its internal magazine has a 30-round capacity. The Kronos may be one of the cheapest options in the whole series, but it's highly celebrated because of its high level of reliability. It's a great option for those who are just getting into Rival since it will remain useful as a secondary even if you upgrade to a higher-end model in the future, but if you're confident you'll only be buying one blaster for the foreseeable future you may consider the similarly priced Roundhouse XX-1500 instead. Its bulkier and slightly less reliable, but its increased ammo capacity can be a valuable advantage during a battle.
If you're interested in other Nerf products outside of the Rival line, check our articles on the best Nerf bows and arrows, best Nerf guns for adults, and the best blasters from every series.
Special Honors
Out Of Darts Jupiter The Jupiter is a 3D printed Rival compatible blaster made by the small Out Of Darts company, and despite its size it's one of the most advanced blasters in existence. It offers an excellent rate of fire, super fast reloading, and is available as a DIY kit or a pre-assembled unit. Because of its high price and the fact that it doesn't come with balls, magazines, or even a battery, it's probably best for serious enthusiasts. outofdarts.com
4. Perses MXIX-5000
5. Hera MXVII-1200
6. Prometheus MXVII-20K
7. Hypnos XIX-1200
8. Artemis XVII-3000
9. Charger MXX-1200
10. Roundhouse XX-1500
After graduating from UC Santa Cruz in 2019 with a bachelors in Literature and Creative Writing, Brendon Hannaford moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy and television. Beyond writing, he’s always had a passionate interest in the clever engineering found in consumer electronics and machinery, with an eclectic interest that spans diverse categories such as photography equipment, musical instruments, and automotive technology. When not writing and researching for Ezvid Wiki, Brendon spends his time performing sketch comedy and tinkering with his motorcycle.