The best water guns and Super Soakers are a summer essential, especially with the heat we're getting in so many places this year. They're a great way to have fun outdoors even in strong heat, and while we generally think of them for kids, adults really should consider themselves above it all when it gets at hot as it has been.
Our guide to the best water guns and Super Soakers has the latest and greatest options, including some low-price water pistols that you could buy a bunch of for a group – as well as some serious Super Soaker models if you want to get yourself tactical superiority on the battlefield.
While we've chosen our favourites below, we know that lots of people will just want to buy based on price or how quickly they can be delivered anyway, so here are some quick links to water gun options at some key retailers.
• Browse all water pistols at Amazon UK
• Browse all water pistols at Argos
• Browse all water pistols at Amazon US
• Browse all water pistols at Target
There's a huge range of options, from dinky little toy ones you can slip in a bag, right up to big soakers with large water capacities. That means there's something perfect for all ages.
If you prefer to stay dry, don't forget to check out our guide to the best Nerf guns, while we also have the best board games and best Lego sets for more indoorsy adventures.
Best water guns & Super Soakers 2021: the list
Sending a steady stream of water up to a satisfactory eight metres or so, this blaster should form the basis of your aqua unleashing arsenal. The pump action gets the flow in motion and with a generous two-litre capacity, targets will get wetter than the average washing machine rinse cycle.
This Super Soaker is also the ideal and highly entertaining method of deterring un-wanted critters from your back garden. No, we’re not referring to BBQ guests. The only downside really is that you might want something smaller for younger kids, and the cap that seals it is quite stiff (which means no leaks, at least). Read more in our full, five-star Super Soaker Floodinator review.
Water fights tend to be more fun with a second participant, so this two-pack makes it more economical to pick up multiple guns at once for a big spraying battle. They should be small enough for most kids to handle, as long as no one minds have unbranded guns instead of 'cool' Super Soakers.
The pistols here themselves are standard pump-action stuff, with a water capacity of 739ml (not bad for the size), and a promised reach of around 36 feet, which is a long way. As starter water gun packs go, it's perfect – as our full JOYIN 2 Pack Water Pistol review will tell you.
Bring Fortnite from the screen to outside! Its a pretty solid design in general, even beyond the branding – it offers a full litre of water to spray through pump action, reaching around 10 feet/3 metres.
This makes it all a bit less extreme than the Floodinator above, which may be very welcome news to parents. Less water is easier for kids to handle as well – this is generally a great middle ground between water pistols and bigger, beefier spraying options.
After a casual “would you like ice with that” comment from the host of the annual Super Soaker creative team’s BBQ, one attendee still had his work hat on. Within weeks the Freezefire was created, an oversized filler cap in which to stick cubes of ice and the ability to send a shivery stream during water gun wars. It’s a tidy little Super Soaker, and one small enough to conceal into a surprise soaking session. It is the most likely to be turned into a receptacle containing sangria, mind.
Look familiar? The original Super Soaker is back, baby! In a slightly tweaked new form, but still with that all-important green removable bottle. This is also a water gun that doesn't just rely on pumping – you pump to prime it, and then pull the trigger to actually fire, which is more convenient than pumping alone.
It promises decent spraying power, and the capacity of 1.2l is good – plus it's not too large for most kids. There is a bit of a leak issue, but maybe you won't mind that – our full Super Soaker XP100 review explains it all.
If soaking your opponent isn't enough for you, then you should consider the Super Soaker DartFire, which not only can fire jets of water at your foes but also Nerf darts, too. You don't get a lot of darts to fire, just 5 in fact, however you can switch modes on the fly and once your opponent is thoroughly wet through you can finish them off with a foamy coup de grâce.
Best water gun accessories
If you’ve attempted filling regular balloons with water in the past then you’re already halfway to hitting the buy button. Whilst the satisfaction of hearing the drop of a normal latex water filled sphere is satisfying enough, the process of loading it is tedious. Step up Bunch o Balloons, three bunches in each pack, complete with attachment for hose attaching. Just turn on the tap and watch them fill up, get all 105 done in under a minute. This replenishing speed means you can now rely on them as part of your strategic water warfare arsenal. Time to darken the skies and rain down on your recipients with your H20-infused spheres of watery doom.
