It’s time to ditch the heavy and clunky blasters and up to the smallest nerf guns on the market!
But what sets small nerf guns apart from their larger counterparts? To start, they are much lighter and more agile—allowing easy maneuverability in tight spaces and easier dodge of enemy darts. Try jumping out of the way of enemy fire with a nerf machine gun.
They also give you the element of surprise. Because they are so small, tiny blasters can be easily concealed and drawn out at a moment’s notice—catching your opponents off guard.
In this buyer’s guide, we’ll cover the best tiny nerf guns on the market—updated for 2024. Each of these pint-sized blasters packs a tiny (but effective) punch and are perfect for taking down opponents without breaking a sweat.
And the best part? No one will even see them coming!
Let’s waste no time and choose the best weapon for your stealthy style.
Here Are the Smallest Nerf Guns of 2024
We have spent countless hours studying and evaluating the tiniest blasters on the market in 2024 to produce this list of the smallest nerf guns available.
This list is not in order from the smallest to largest, but rather by my rough ranking of overall value (price, power, fun, etc.)
1. Nerf MicroShots
The Nerf MicroShots Bundle is a series of compact, single-shot blasters built for quick and dirty foam-dart combat!
These bad boys are all muscle-powered; no batteries are required. Simply pull back on the lever and let those darts rip! However, it can only hold one dart at a time. That’s right, just one dart per blaster, so don’t get too crazy with these little guys. But hey, at least you won’t have to lug around a ton of extra foamies.
The MicroShots are available in a variety of cool colors, ranging from the iconic NERF orange to quirky hues like green and purple. These blasters are small and portable, making them ideal for on-the-go foam dart battles.
These little guys have a relatively low velocity, reaching speeds of around 50 feet per second. They have a range of 20 to 30 feet and a limited fire rate due to the fact that they are single-shot blasters.
They also have a straightforward design that makes it possible for both left- and right-handed users to operate them with ease.
The main problem with these MicroShots is that they don’t have much range, speed, or ammunition. Also, because they are small, they might not be good for bigger, more intense NERF battles.
Reasons to Buy:
- Very customizable
- Cheap bundle
- Compact and lightweight
- Comfortable for bigger hands.
- Quick to load and prime
Reasons to Avoid:
- Low performance
2. Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt is one of the most renowned tiny blasters on the market. This pocket-sized nerf gun that’s sure to make your enemies quiver in their boots (or at least make them laugh.)
The Jolt is primed using a pull handle on the bottom of the grip and fires standard Elite darts. It comes with two Nerf Elite darts but can only shoot one dart at a time.
It has a simple design and is easy to use, with a small grip that can be comfortably held and fired with either hand.
The Nerf Jolt fires at about 50 feet per second and has a range of about 55 feet (using a 20-dart average.)
You can read our full review of the Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt here. Spoiler, I rated it 8.2 out of 10. For the category it falls into, it performs well.
Overall, the Jolt is great for a hidden attack or as a last-ditch effort to have just one more shot when it is least expected. The Jolt also topped our list of the best Nerf guns under $5!
Reasons to Buy:
- Cheaper than dirt
- Compact and lightweight
- Though it is small it is comfortable for bigger hands.
- Makes a great concealable blaster for a surprise attack
- Quick to load and prime
Reasons to Avoid:
- No customization options
- Lower FPS and range
- One shot capacity
3. Nerf Rival Knockout XX-100
Claiming the top spot for the most intense little pocket rocket is the Nerf Rival Knockout XX-100. This budget-friendly blaster packs an intense punch in close-range battles and is easy to handle, making it a must-have for any Nerf enthusiast.
This angry little spring-powered blaster fires High-Impact Rival Rounds, which are designed similarly to a golf ball—making them aerodynamically faster and more accurate.
It comes with two Rival Rounds but can hold four backup rounds in the ammo storage chambers on the side of the blaster.
The Knockout can only hold and fire a single shot, but that single shot rockets at an insane 90+ feet per second and has a range of about 85 feet.
Nerf Rival blasters are pretty ridiculous, and this is no exception—especially for its size.
It has an ergonomically designed grip that is perfect for larger hands and comes in only one color scheme, Rival Team Blue.
Overall, for its size, purpose, and cost, there is not a single drawback to the Nerf Rival Knockout XX-100—beyond being too powerful for those younger Nerf warriors.
Reasons to Buy:
- Insane 90+ FPS
- Long range
- Powerful, but small
Reasons to Avoid:
- May be too powerful for younger children
- Only one color
4. X-Shot Micro
If you’re okay branching out to alternative Nerf gun brands (it’s okay, I won’t judge you), you can find a terrific little blaster called the Micro by X-Shot.
This little beast is like a Nerf Jolt on steroids and operates nearly the same. It has a small priming handle on the rear of the blaster and a one-chamber barrel that can house a single dart.
As you may have guessed it’s a single shot, so the fire rate is pretty low, about a dart a second at best. But where this blaster shines is its dart velocity and range.
The Micro can sling darts at about 75 FPS and has an average range of about 80 feet. Not bad for such a tiny and cheap piece of plastic.
It has storage for an extra dart on top of the blaster that can also be used as an iron sight. It has been released in a variety of color schemes, including green, white, red, and even pink.
Overall, there really isn’t a single bad thing to say about this blaster. For under $5, you get something that both performs well and is tiny enough to conceal just about anywhere.
Reasons to Buy:
- Very small
- Good performance for its size
- Cheap cheap cheap
Reasons to Avoid:
- None
5. Nerf Elite 2.0 Trio
The Nerf Elite 2.0 Trio is a single-shot blaster that can hold a whooping three darts in its three stacked chambers! That’s two more darts than most blasters this size!
While you still have to prime the blaster before each shot, you can rapid-fire all three darts before needing to reload. In addition to a higher fire rate, it also has pretty good performance for a small nerf gun.
The Nerf Trio can rocket darts at about 60 feet per second and has an average range of about 70 feet.
Although it is a little bit bigger than the other blasters on this list, if you only need a little bit extra ammunition or range, it is a little price to pay.
It comes in two colors: Elite (teal, black, and orange) and Tactical Pack (cyan, light blue, light green, and orange).
Overall the Nerf Elite 2.0 Trio is a great choice for those looking for a small blaster that can fire more than one dart.
Reasons to Buy:
- Has a three-dart chamber
- High fire-rate
- Long-range and high FPS
- Cheap
Reasons to Avoid:
- A little bigger than others on this list
6. Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3
Similar to the Nerf Trio (in just about every way), the Nerf N-Strike Triad EX-3 can hold three darts in its three chambers.
However, this is still a single-shot blaster. The blaster must be primed using the priming handle between each dart fired. So to fire three darts, you must prime and fire the blaster three times.
But that is still two extra darts that you can quickly fire without reloading.
In addition to the higher fire rate, the Triad also has impressive performance. It can fire darts at about 60 feet per second and have an average range of about 90 feet.
The Triad has been released in two color schemes. White with blue and orange accents, as well as an Elite XD version with white, blue, and orange.
Overall, the Triad EX-3 is one of the best small nerf guns on this list and is a great alternative to the Nerf Trio. It also made our list of the best Nerf Pistols of 2024!
Reasons to Buy:
- Has a three-dart chamber
- High fire-rate
- Long-range and high FPS
- Cheap
Reasons to Avoid:
- A little bigger than others on this list
7. Nerf Elite 2.0 Volt
Up next is the Nerf Elite 2.0 Volt, and this tiny single-shot blaster is quite the treat.
It comes with six Elite darts (in two colors) and has built-in storage for two additional darts in the grip. Like most nerf guns of this type, it’s primed using a pull-handled on the back of the blaster
Where the Volt shines is its performance. It has an impressive range of about 90 feet and a firing velocity of about 60 FPS, which puts it above average for a blaster of this type and size.
A unique feature of this tiny nerf gun is its integrated light that can be used in low-light conditions. The light is run off two “AAA” batteries (not included of course). It also has two tactical rails (one on top and another on the bottom) for attachments.
Overall, the Nerf Elite 2.0 Volt is a steal of a deal and is a perfect companion if you’re looking for a small Nerf gun.
Reasons to Buy:
- Good performance
- Tactical light
- Extra darts included
- Cheap
Reasons to Avoid:
- Requires batteries
- A little larger than others on this list
8. Nerf N-Strike NanoFire
The Nerf N-Strike Elite NanoFire is one of the smaller blasters on this list and was released by Hasbro in the N-Strike Elite series.
The NanoFire holds two spare darts on top of the blaster and is primed with a pull handle on the bottom of the grip.
It comes with Nerf Elite darts and can hold and fire one dart at a time—giving it a rather slow fire rate.
The NanoFire also has an insane range of about 30-40 feet *laugh here* and is currently available in two color schemes: blue & orange; and green & orange.
Overall, the NanoFire is a small, compact Nerf gun that is cheap and easy to take on the go. It may also be a good choice for younger Nerf warriors who are just starting out with Nerf blasters. Just be sure you’re close when you shoot this little guy!
Reasons to Buy:
- Inexpensive
- Very small
- Easy to use
Reasons to Avoid:
- Single shot
- Poor range and FPS
9. Nerf N-Strike Reflex IX-1
The Nerf N-Strike Reflex IX-1 is a goofy-looking small Nerf gun that was released as part of the “Attack Unit” in 2008. It has since gotten a face-lift and is now a part of the Elite series and its blue and orange color scheme.
The Reflex is a fairly simple spring-powered blaster that has a one-dart capacity and is primed using a slide (similar to a real pistol).
It comes with Nerf Elite darts but can fire any standard dart—including waffle head hards. It also has a pretty short range of about 50 feet.
While the N-Strike Reflex is small, it’s also rather bulky. Regardless, it’s a cool little addition to anyone’s tiny blaster arsenal.
Reasons to Buy:
- Unique look; great for a collection
- Cheap
Reasons to Avoid:
- Subpar performance
10. Nerf Elite 2.0 Ace SD-1
Get ready to dominate the battlefield with the sleek Nerf Elite 2.0 Ace SD-1!
Released in 2021 as part of the Elite 2.0 series, this little bundle of chaos is a single-fire pocket blaster with an integrated dart storage that can also be used as a sight when no dart is present.
The Ace SD-1 can hold one dart in the firing chamber and another dart in its built-in storage. This tiny blaster has an average range of about 35 feet, so it’s an “up close and personal” only type blaster.
Overall, it’s one of the smallest Nerf guns you can get, and is a welcome addition to this list.
Update: This blaster has been discontinued, but can still be purchased in a 10-pack at a pretty good price.
Reasons to Buy:
- Very small
- Holds an extra dart
- Dart storage seconds as a sight
- Very cheap
Reasons to Avoid:
- Poor performance
- Discontinued; Can only be bought as a bundle
Small Nerf Gun Buying Considerations
So what factors should you take into consideration when choosing the best and smallest nerf gun for you? Let’s take a look at nine common factors.
- Size and Weight: While all the blasters on this list are considerably smaller than your average blaster, you may still need to consider the maximum size blaster that will suit you best. Do you need it to fit in your pocket? Or are you planning on holstering it as a sidearm? As they say, size does in fact matter and how you use your foamy weapon is all that truly matters.
- Range: The beauty of the dart blaster market in 2024 is that are so many options to choose from. You can get pocket-blasters that shoot far or ones that dribble darts. Determine at what range you might consider using your small nerf gun and get one that falls within your desired range. And if you do want some range, check out these Nerf snipers.
- Ammunition Capacity: Consider the ammunition capacity of the Nerf gun. Some small models may have a limited capacity and may need to be reloaded frequently, while others may have a larger capacity and be able to shoot more darts before needing to be reloaded.
Why You Need a Small Nerf Gun
There are several advantages to using little nerf guns in combat.
Greater agility is one of the main benefits. You can swiftly evade enemy fire and move through confined locations with small nerf guns because they are easier to handle and manipulate. You may have a big advantage over opponents who are employing bigger, bulkier weapons because of this.
Small nerf guns can lend an element of surprise. Since they are so little, it is simple to conceal them and quickly draw them out to surprise your opponents. When using nerf guns, this can give you the advantage and let you eliminate your opponents before they even realize what’s occurring.
In general, little nerf guns are a fantastic option for people who want a more agile and covert style of combat. They might not be as powerful or have the same range as bigger nerf guns, but they more than makeup for it with speed and maneuverability.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the smallest Nerf guns of 2024! If you desire a more nimble and stealthy style of play, little nerf guns are the way to go.
While some of these pint-sized blasters are rather weak and unintimidating, others on this list pack a serious and scary punch. And best of all, the element of surprise can be on your side— nobody will even notice you coming!
So ditch the heavy and clunky blasters and upgrade to the smallest nerf guns on the market. Your opponent won’t know what hit them.
Happy Nerfing!