Mattel BOOMco Range Velocity Rate-of-Fire BOOMco Dynamag 75 51 2.14 BOOMco Mad Slammer 73 53 4.16 BOOMco Rapid Madness 46 46 10.00 BOOMco Slamblast 73 68 0.57 BOOMco Twisted Spinner 63 58 3.00 BOOMco Whipblast 66 56 0.60 BOOMco Average 66 55 3.41 Hasbro Nerf Range Velocity Rate-of-Fire Nerf Elite CrossBolt 84 67 1.42 Nerf Elite Demolisher 70 73 4.00 Nerf Elite Rapidstrike 71 69 3.70 Nerf Z.S. Doublestrike 65 60 0.60 Nerf Z.S. Slingfire 63 64 1.50 Nerf Rebelle Rapid Glow 69 71 1.70 Nerf Average 70 67 2.15 Range = Maximum distance in feet with a moderate arc Velocity = Dart muzzle velocity in feet per second Rate-of-Fire = Darts shot per second

One of the most striking results of our BOOMco vs. Nerf findings concerned shot accuracy. We found BOOMco darts to be considerably more accurate over their flight paths than comparable Nerf products. Indeed, the stiff, durable BOOMco darts were significantly more accurate than every foam-based Nerf dart we tested with every blaster we had available from each brand. And while we’re on the subject of darts, it’s worth noting that BOOMco darts are very durable, since they’re made with a stiff (but bendable) plastic that doesn’t break down or come apart like traditional foam darts. The Smart Stick tips of BOOMco darts are a little gimmicky, and they don’t work on most surfaces, but then again, most Nerf darts (suction and Velcro-tipped ones, excluded) don’t stick to anything, either.

So, which blaster is better—Nerf, or BOOMco?

If you’re a Nerf fan with a huge arsenal of Nerf products, and/or if you’re just getting into toy blasters and want to know what all the fuss is about, you can’t go wrong with Nerf. More than 25 years of continuous refinement has resulted in blasters that arguably look better than anything else on the market, with a huge fan base of Nerf enthusiasts ready to trade darts or modify blasters, and a broad product line that includes everything from zombie-themed weapons to blasters made just for girls. Everyone knows the Nerf name, and we’ve seen some future products that look absolutely amazing.

But for our money, Mattel’s BOOMco brand is the one to watch. Without the shackles of history to worry about, Mattel’s designers were free to develop darts that perform better than anything else on the toy blaster market—they fly straight, they last a long time, and their slightly smaller size allows you to carry more at one time. And while the initial line-up of BOOMco products was a little on the small size and somewhat underpowered for older enthusiasts, they have quickly dropped under-performing designs, with recent examples that are every bit the equal of what Hasbro is putting out under their Nerf label in terms of aesthetics, uniqueness, and fun (even if enthusiasts haven't quite seen as much modification potential just yet).

So, if you are a Nerf fan (or you’re shopping for one), you still can’t go wrong with the vast majority of Nerf products. But if you’re just getting into the hobby, or if you already have lots of blasters but are open to trying something different, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed by what Mattel is doing with BOOMco. Nerf says it’s “Nerf or Nothin’,” but BOOMco will tell you they “Blast Better.” And on that last point, we wouldn't necessarily disagree.