Buying guide for best water guns
Written by Lauren Corona
Updated August 2024
Imagine the scene: you’re deep into a water gun fight, you’ve lined up your perfect shot and you pull the trigger, only to find your gun has run out of water or the stream doesn’t reach far enough. The wrong water gun can turn a water fight from fun to frustrating and leave you in line for a soaking. Not all water guns are created equal, and enthusiasts know that the right features can make all the difference to a water fight victory.
When choosing a water gun, range and accuracy are key. A powerful pump mechanism or motor ensures that your opponents are drenched from a distance, giving you the upper hand in any aquatic showdown. What’s more, a sizable water reservoir is essential, letting you engage in extended play without stopping for constant refills at the hose or faucet. Large water guns are often more powerful and have bigger reservoirs but can be heavy and unwieldy, so you may need to make a compromise.
Whether you're seeking a water gun for epic battles or simply yearning for a playful way to beat the heat, it’s important to choose the right model. After researching dozens of water guns, we found the Team Magnus The Incog Water Gun to be the absolute best, thanks to its powerful pump action. It also has the advantage of stealth, since it doesn't obviously look like a water gun, letting you sneak up on unsuspecting opponents.
Our list: The best water guns
Team Magnus The Incog Water Gun
Our favorite of the dozens of water guns we researched, this pump-action water gun can spray water up to 32 feet, letting you soak your adversaries from a distance. It holds 40 ounces of water, so you won't need to refill it too often. It weighs just 6.4 ounces, making it light enough for kids to handle. It measures around 15 inches long, which is a good mid-size.
Water Sports Stream Machine Water Launcher
If you're looking for an affordable water gun with an impressive range, you've met your match. This pump-action gun shoots water up to an impressive 70 feet so you can hit your target from afar. It measures 17 inches long and weighs just 8.8 ounces. It doesn't have a tank, so it's best for playing in bodies of water, such as pools or lakes.
Joyin 2-Pack Water Guns
These pump-action guns hold 35 ounces of water and can shoot streams of up to 36 feet. With two in a pack, they're great for siblings or friends who want to play together. They measure almost 16 inches long and weigh around 14 ounces apiece; they're not too heavy or too light.
Quanquer 3-Pack Water Guns
Another solid choice for groups to play together, you get three identical pump-action water guns in this pack. They hold around 20 ounces of water in their tanks and shoot as far as 32 feet. You can take around 60 shots before you need to refill. At around 14 inches long and 7 ounces, they're small and light enough for most kids.
Nerf Super Soaker Fortnite Water Blaster
Fortnite fans will love this pump-action water blaster that's based on the blaster from the game. It's relatively compact, measuring around 16 inches. Due to its compact size, the tank is on the small side, which isn't the best for epic battles. However, it can shoot around 30 times before it needs refilling. It has a 32-foot range.
SpyraTwo WaterBlaster
This Spyra water gun isn't the cheapest on the market, but its precision and impressive 50-foot maximum range makes it an excellent high-end choice. It's motorized, so you don't have to worry about pumping before you can pull the trigger, beating your challengers to the draw. It measures around 24 inches long and weighs 5 pounds, making it a formidable weapon. It holds around 20 ounces of water, which equals 22 blasts.
Zuru X-Shot Fast-Fill Medium Water Blaster
The medium Zuru X-Shot is 16 inches long and holds 24 ounces of water, while the large is 23 inches long and holds 30 ounces. Both have a 32-foot range, thanks to the powerful pump-action design. It has a fast-fill function that lets you refill it quickly by opening the reservoir and dunking it under the water.
Hozhoy Water Guns
These basic squirt guns are small, light and great for young kids since there's no pumping involved. They're 7.5 inches long and hold around 7.5 ounces of water in their tank. Despite their compact design, they can still manage to spray water as far as 15 to 20 feet. They come in a pack of six.
Nerf Super Soaker Barrage Soaker
If you're sick of having to regularly refill your water reservoir, this gun's 84-ounce capacity will keep you going for some time. This pump-action soaker shoots water as far as 38 feet, which gives you an advantage over those with less powerful water guns. It's fairly big, measuring 22 inches and weighing 1.4 pounds, but its bulk helps give this gun its power. You can switch the nozzle between three spray modes.
Nerf Super Soaker Hydra Water Blaster
You can blast water around 25 feet with this pump-action water gun. It has a tank capacity of 65 ounces, so you won't need to stop to refill it regularly, potentially outlasting your opponents. At around 26 inches long and 1.8 pounds, it isn't suitable for little kids, but it packs a punch.
ToyerBee Electric Water Gun
This motorized water gun lets you take down the opposition without pausing to pump. It has a 26-foot range and holds around 11 ounces of water. It's around 15 inches long and weighs 1.3 pounds — it isn't excessively big or heavy for kids. It has a USB-rechargeable battery.
Types of water guns
Squirt guns
Squirt guns (or water pistols, as they’re sometimes known) are compact water guns that squirt short streams of water when you pull the trigger. They're small and lightweight enough for younger children to use. They’re easy to operate and don’t require pumping or a battery. Since they tend to be inexpensive, they’re cheap enough for kids to buy themselves with pocket money.
Unfortunately, water pistols usually aren’t very powerful and don't spray water far. They have small water reservoirs, meaning they need to be refilled often.
Pump-action water guns
Pump-action water guns require users to pump a lever before pulling the trigger. This diverts some of the water into a pressurized chamber, allowing it to be squirted out further and harder. They tend to be quite powerful and are capable of squirting a lot of water a long way. They don’t require batteries, so they won’t run out of juice just when you've lined up the perfect shot.
On the downside, you can’t shoot continuously with a pump-action water gun, since you have to intermittently stop and pump again.
Motorized water guns
Motorized water guns have pumps that are powered by motors — users simply press a trigger to operate them. Since motorized water guns are battery-operated, there’s no need to pump them. This means you don’t have to take a break from soaking your foes to pump, plus they’re generally easier to aim.
However, the fact that they’re battery-operated means motorized water guns can run out of power at a crucial moment. They also tend to be slightly less powerful than pump-action water guns, although newer models are catching up.
What to look for when buying a water gun
Water capacity
The water capacity of a water gun is how much water it can hold in its reservoir. The larger the water capacity, the less often you’ll have to fill up your water gun, but the heavier it will be when full.
If you intend to have long, epic water battles, it makes sense to opt for a water gun with the largest capacity possible. That way, you won’t have to keep taking breaks to refill the reservoir.
Small squirt guns often hold less than 3 ounces, whereas large soakers can hold 80 ounces or more. As a rule, pump-action water guns tend to have larger water reservoirs than their motorized counterparts.
Size and weight
Check the physical dimensions of a water gun, as well as its weight, and don’t forget to factor in the weight of the water in the reservoir, too. You should be able to find these details in the product specifications. It’s especially important to consider the size and weight of a water gun that you’re buying for a child. If it’s too large and heavy for them to handle, it’s not much use.
Spray distance
Spray distance refers to the distance that a jet of water can spray from a water gun. If your water gun has a long spray distance, you don’t have to get too close to your opponents in a water gun fight, giving you an advantage over those who have models with shorter spray distances. A basic squirt gun may have a spray distance of under 10 feet, while the most powerful water guns can discharge water over 50 feet.
Most manufacturers list the spray distance of their water guns in the product specifications. While it’s not the only important feature, if we were stuck between two water guns we liked, we’d opt for the one with the more impressive spray distance.
Adjustable nozzle
Some water guns have adjustable nozzles that allow you to change the properties of the water jets. The exact nozzle settings vary between models, but you generally have the option to switch between a wider, softer spray and a thinner, harder spray. Very powerful jets can feel slightly painful if they hit at close range. It’s wise to adjust the nozzle to a softer spray when younger children are involved.
Tips for using water guns
- Select a water gun that’s durable enough to meet your needs. Some cheaper models aren’t designed to last. If you only want it for very occasional use, this might not be an issue, but if you want years of fun from your water gun, it’s worth spending extra for a well-made, durable model.
- Make sure everyone stays safe while using their water guns. Avoid running on slippery surfaces or near the edge of pools. We recommend supervising younger children during water gun fights.
- Consider buying a target. If you’re buying for an only child and don’t want to be on the receiving end of water guns all summer, consider purchasing a water gun target for them to practice on when they're playing solo.
- Decide if you want a water gun that shoots multiple jets. More jets equals more coverage, making it harder for your opponents to dodge your attack.
FAQ
Q. How much do water guns cost?
A. Squirt guns are the cheapest, costing between $2 and $5 each. Basic pump-action water guns cost as little as $10, but large high-end models can cost up to $100. You can expect to pay between $20 and $150 for a motorized water gun.
Q. Do I need to put batteries in my water gun?
A. If you have a basic squirt gun or a pump-action water gun, there’s no need for batteries because they’re operated manually. Motorized water guns, on the other hand, require batteries to power the motor. It’s always a good idea to double-check whether or not your chosen water gun requires batteries when ordering to avoid the disappointment of not being able to use it when it arrives.
Q. Do water guns have a recommended minimum age limit?
A. All water guns have recommended minimum ages. This is due to a range of factors, including the water gun’s size and weight and whether or not it has any small parts. If you’re buying for a child, it’s important to abide by these minimum age recommendations, not only for safety reasons but because a child younger than the recommended age might be too small to handle the water gun in question.
Q. Are there any accessories I can buy for my water gun?
A. Yes, you can find accessories for certain water guns, especially big-name models like Super Soakers. Popular extras include backup reservoirs and target vests.
