Airsoft and paintball are discussed often as competitors in the tactical gaming category. It is very rare for nerf to be brought up in the same sentence as the other two. Some might see it as evidence of airsoft’s innate superiority, but that superiority is contextual.
In general, airsoft is superior to nerf in terms of realism, speed, and engagement, but nerf is far better for safety and child-friendliness. Airsoft guns look real and can be used to shoot multiple targets in quick succession. Nerf guns can fire at one individual at a time.
In this article, you’ll find the pros and cons of both airsoft and nerf in comparison to each other. Whether you’re interested in getting airsoft or nerf for yourself or your kids, this post will cover the fundamental differences you must know about.
Is Airsoft More Dangerous Than Nerf?
Airsoft is more dangerous than nerf, though both games are practically safe enough for young adults who use appropriate precautions and protective equipment. Airsoft, however, hurts more than nerf, which makes it a higher-stakes choice for tactical games.
Do Nerf Guns Hurt?
Nerf guns do not hurt or harm people as they are projectiles made of foam, shot at a tolerable speed. Nerf guns are designed for use by pre-teens and are hence among the safest gun toys that can be used in tactical games.
The only area one must avoid shooting is the eye, as nerf projectiles’ impact can cause traumatic injury to the retina, resulting in blurred vision and pain. Children shouldn’t play with nerf unsupervised unless they all have appropriate eye projection.
Nerf guns are considered less likely to harm and even more unlikely to hurt. When it comes to Airsoft, though, the harm and the hurt aren’t the same things. Despite being considered safe, they aren’t exactly pain-free.
Do Airsoft Guns Hurt?
Airsoft guns hurt when projectiles make contact with the skin. They can also cause medical emergencies when they hit the eye or the throat of a player. That’s why these guns are not suitable for pre-teens and should be used by teenagers under adult supervision.
Aside from the eyes, the throat, the groin, and the head area in general, airsoft pellets don’t cause much harm. As mentioned earlier, harm and hurt are different in this context. Even though Airsoft pellets are harmless when they hit your arms, they are still painful.
The pain of an airsoft pellet is similar to a sting. You can read my post on whether airsoft BBs are painful to know more about the factors that can make airsoft guns more or less painful.
The difference between nerf and airsoft, then, is that nerf guns are harmless and painless, while airsoft guns are relatively harmless but painful. And that’s why you can play with a nerf gun just wearing goggles, while you cannot play airsoft without better protection.
Do You Need Protective Equipment For Nerf?
You do not need protective equipment for Nerf gun fights. Kids, however, need protective goggles because they might not show the same discipline and maturity when playing with these guns.
While Nerf cannot cause serious damage, it can still hurt if the nerf hits the eyes. As long as the eyes are protected, there is a 0% chance of direct harm from a nerf gun. Eyes are also the highest priority for protection in airsoft, but even after covering them, you’re not 100% safe.
Do You Need Protective Equipment For Airsoft?
You need protective equipment for airsoft, mainly over the eyes and the mouth, as teeth and eyeballs are the most vulnerable to airsoft BBs. Other than that, you need clothing that can make airsoft pellets hurt less.
This might make you wonder why people don’t ditch airsoft and adopt Nerf as they wouldn’t need to buy expensive protective gear to play with it. Because airsoft BBs hurt more than nerf, airsoft is considered a more serious game. Adults find it childish to play with nerf guns. So, yes, airsoft hurts more, but it has its own pros. For a fair look, let’s look at both sides.
Pros And Cons Of Airsoft
Airsoft guns are widely considered better than nerf guns, especially for young adults and late teens. In this section, we go over the various pros and cons of airsoft guns in relation to nerf guns. Let’s start with the advantages.
Advantages of Airsoft guns:
- Airsoft guns look more realistic – The realism of these guns’ appearance (and weight) can add to the fun of the tactical game.
- Airsoft guns are taken more seriously – More adults are willing to join you in an airsoft game than are likely to join a nerf gun fight.
- There are dedicated airsoft fields – You can play airsoft in teams on a field mapped out to maximize the fun of the tactical game. With nerf guns, you’re most likely to play in your backyard.
- Airsoft guns come in a larger range – With a larger variety to choose from, you can pick the gun you personally enjoy using. Nerf guns are not available in as wide a range.
- Airsoft guns have better speed – Because of airsoft guns’ speed, they can be used for group games. With a nerf gun, it is unfathomable for one player to take out multiple opponents, so no more than three players can have any fun in a nerf game.
- Airsoft guns can be automatic – Most airsoft guns used in an airsoft field are either full auto or semi-automatic. This makes them a lot more fun and opens up the possibilities of what can be done with these guns.
While airsoft guns are considered better by many, they haven’t replaced nerf guns, which occupy a category of their own. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of nerf guns to get the complete picture.
Pros And Cons Of Nerf Guns
Here is a look at the good and the bad about nerf guns in comparison to airsoft guns. To start off, let’s look at the pros.
The pros of nerf guns are:
- They are safe for children – While airsoft guns have a pristine record of zero documented deaths, they are still dangerous when handled by kids. Nerf guns are pretty safe for children.
- They are cheaper – On average, nerf guns are cheaper than airsoft guns.
- They don’t hurt – Nerf guns are harmless and painless, with the target feeling the pressure and impact of the weapon and nothing else.
The cons of nerf guns are:
- They are not suitable for multiplayer games – Nerf guns are far slower than airsoft guns. And because each fire is followed by a pause, nerf guns can be a poor choice for multiplayer shootouts.
- They don’t have (as many) dedicated fields and arenas – While there are a few recreational facilities where kids can play with airsoft guns, there are not as many dedicated fields just for nerf gun fights.
- They are not taken as seriously by adults – Nerf gun games are seen as childish even if they are safer versions of airsoft games.
Final Thoughts
Airsoft is better than nerf in terms of fun, engagement, and realism. Nerf is better than airsoft for safety and child-friendliness. Overall, your choice of the game should be dictated by the number of players, how responsible they are, and what their pain tolerance is.