Summer is the time of year that a lot of people look forward to. The days are warm and long. For outdoor activities, there's a long and never-ending list. Grilling, camping, and running outside in the sunshine are great starters. But for most, it means enjoying activities involving bodies of water. Summer means it's time for spritzes, swim trunks, and some water fights. One never grows out of such things, especially when you have top-notch equipment and it's scorching outside.
This kind of battle is fun, refreshing, and a healthy way to combat your friends. So why don't you invite your family or best buddies over (it's also a fun team-building experience, looking at your corporate world) for a water gun match this summer? Indeed, they will be eager to get on the battlefield with you. If you want to sharpen your aiming skills in time for the fight, we've compiled a list of the best water guns for men this 2023.
Easiest to fill
Nerf Super Soaker Fortnite TS-R Water Blaster
Modeled after the blaster in the online video game Fortnite, this Nerf water gun replicates the exact style and colors, only this one you can hold in your real damn hands.
Quick fill and fire with a pump-action handle that unleashes massive soaker power. If you find yourself shouting, “He’s one shot!” just roll with it until the 36-fluid-ounce tank is spent, which can take about 41 shots.
Most powerful
SpyraTwo Water Gun
The SpyraTwo is a powerful water gun, to say the least. It's also sleek and fun to tote about. It fills easily and quickly, meaning you won't lose a vital second while in the midst of a dousing battle with your friends. It's also surprisingly precise, despite its relative light weight and trim build. You'll attach to this model quickly when water war season really sets in.
You can also pretend you're firing lasers as the shape of this water weapon is undoubtedly futuristic.
Best range
Nerf N Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster
If you want to stand out and get your hands on something unique, then Nerf N Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster is probably the right choice for you. Unlike most water guns, this quick draw and fast-firing water gun from Nerf has a flip-open rotating barrel that can hold six darts, which can be shot up to 90 feet.
With this, not only do you have the most uniquely designed water gun, but you also have a lot of advantages when it comes to water battles during your summertime vacation.
Best for gunslingers
Heytech 2-Pack Water Gun
Sporting a cutting-edge design, these Heytech big boys can shoot water at 32 feet, which is ideal for gunslingers who want to snipe their foes from afar. They can also hold 1,200 cc of water (40 ounces), lasting you for a round or two before you refill the guns and giving your squad the upper hand during the fight.
To use the guns, pull the pump and squeeze the trigger to release a stream of water on your enemies. They’re easy to use, so long as you don’t forget to move the pump. Imagine how awkward it will be if it happens to you.
Best for couples
Joyin Phaser High Capacity Water Gun
Surprise the woman in your life with one of Joyin's water guns so she can engage in a heart-pounding one-on-one match with you, or let her (including you, of course) defeat your buddies in a squad death match to show everyone who's boss. The power-pump action on the water guns can unleash a stream of water up to 35 feet. That's quite far.
Whether you or someone else will equip them, these water guns are ideal for individuals who love using guns with ample water tank capacity. Plus, they look like something out of Star Wars.
Best for low stakes
Zuru X-Shot Water Blaster Double
If you're just looking for a friendly battle in which you get a little wet, this is your gun. It's highly functional, but not going to overly soak anybody. That said, it's ideal for kids or the occasional indoor bout (bathtub water fight, anyone?).
The range of this Zuru water gun is minimal, but that doesn't matter when you're in close aqua combat. The Zuru X-Shot is sneaky, meaning you can surprise your competition with a quick draw and spray.
Best value set
Adventure Force Water Strike Aqua Squad 4-Pack Water Blaster Value Set
Recommended for ages 6 and up, Adventure Force's Water Strike Aqua Squad consists of two power water blasters that can blast water up to 25 feet, and two large power pump water blasters that can blast water up to 30 feet.
It can also refill within seconds with the Blitzfill refill cap, making the set the perfect water guns for water battles during summertime and beach vacations with your family and friends.
Best handle
Hitop Water Gun
We know it’s for kids, but what’s going to stop grown men from picking up a water gun or two? Nothing. Available in two-pack and three-pack variants, HITOP’s water guns are a bargain, as you can share them with a friend or your child before the match. The guns can store up to 300 cc of water (10 fluid ounces), unleashing a deluge as far as 27 feet.
With that amount of water, we believe the “ammunition” can last you for one round. Matches can be grueling and exhausting, but fortunately, the handles are ergonomically designed to provide comfort and security to its wielder, especially children.
Best for snipers
Team Magnus Incog Water Gun
Want to surprise your battle pals from a hidden perch? This is your tool. The Incog is just that, an incognito water toy that's ideal for when you're in stealthy attack mode. It's stylish and can really throw bystanders off, as it looks more like a camera than a water blaster.
It can hold 40 ounces of water and blast up to 32 feet in distance. Not bad for a sneaky device that only weighs about 6 ounces and change.
Best water tank capacity
Play Day Hydro Splash Water Blaster
You can make your beach vacations, pool parties, and summertime getaways more exciting with your family and friends with this 24-inch Hydro Splash Water Blaster. Ideal for kids as young as 3 years old, this water gun by Play Day has a water capacity of 71 ounces and can blast up to 20 feet.
You'll surely be able to hit all of your targets and turn them into a soaking mess with this gun — this water battle royale is yours for the taking.
Best minimalist option
Stream Machine Water Launcher
For people who aren't fond of busy designs, this minimalist water gun might just be the perfect one for you. This 17-inch Single Barrel Water Launcher by Stream Machine can launch a steady, powerful stream of water up to 40 feet or more with great accuracy.
It can also reload almost instantly once you submerge the product in the water. This one can last a lifetime, as it is made out of high polymers and vibrant colors that will not chip or peel.
Best for kids
Max Liquidator 6-Pack
The Max Liquidator is simple, soft, and colorful, which is a recipe for fun when it comes to having a water day with the little ones. They pump to fire and can send water an impressive 30 feet. Better, they float, meaning you can pack them along without a worry as you blast away in a lake, river, or pool.
They're basically pool noodles with built-in water-launching capabilities. Oh, if you have pets, be advised, as dogs like to chew on these particular water cannons.
Frequently Asked Questions
The inner workings of a water gun can vary depending on the type and complexity, but most commonly they operate through one of two main mechanisms: Pump pressure is the classic mechanism seen in simple squirt guns and some popular models like Super Soakers. Here's how it works:
Pumping: Pushing the pump handle compresses a spring inside the gun, which creates a vacuum effect that draws water from the reservoir into the pump chamber.
Triggering: Pulling the trigger opens a valve, allowing the compressed water to be forced out through a narrow barrel and nozzle.
Nozzle: The narrow nozzle constricts the water flow, increasing its speed and pressure, creating a focused stream.
Air pressure is the mechanism used in higher-powered water guns like the Super Soaker CPS (constant pressure system) models. Here's the process:
Pumping: Pumping the handle pressurizes air inside a separate chamber within the gun.
Reservoir pressurization: The compressed air pushes against the water in the reservoir, increasing its overall pressure.
Triggering: Pulling the trigger opens a valve, allowing the pressurized water to forcefully eject through the barrel and nozzle.
In both mechanisms, the pressure created by the pump or air chamber pushes the water out of the gun, generating the satisfying squirt or blast. Some factors that affect the performance of a water gun include:
- Pumping effort: More aggressive pumping creates higher pressure and a stronger stream.
- Reservoir size: A larger reservoir holds more water for longer battles.
- Nozzle design: Different nozzle shapes can influence the shape and range of the water stream.
So, next time you pick up a water gun, remember the physics and engineering behind that refreshing drenching.
Forget the sprinkler or collapsible pool (unless you have one of these bad boys). What you really need this summer is the ideal water gun to soak your pals with. Now get out there and enjoy a classic form of aquatics we know of, one that will have you feeling all nostalgic.
