Nerf Stampede ECS-18

Nerf weapons have come a long way in recent years, with manual single-shot guns gradually giving way to battery-aided rapid-fire weapons. The latest entry to this burgeoning subsection of foam-based ballistics is the Nerf Stampede ($50)—a tripod-mounted, battery-powered weapon that is capable of taking preloaded ammo magazines for quick reloading in tight spots.

We've tested the weapon in various office battles. The verdict: Not only is the Stampede the best overall Nerf gun ever, but it is also easier to use and less prone to jams than previous battery-powered automatic Nerf guns. And because a rapid-fire gun can unload its entire ammo load in seconds, the ability to pop in new magazines proved to be very handy. Still, it's annoying that the battery chamber requires a screwdriver to open, and the weapon is far too heavy for mobile or offensive missions (this is purely for standing your ground and defending turf).