best laser tag set
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Whether you're 5, 15 or 35, playing laser tag is great fun. You can find plenty of cool laser tag toys out there — but some are better than others.
Before picking up the first one you find, consider who will be playing. The best laser tag set for kids probably isn't the same as the best set for adults. Basic sets can be fun for children or adults who just want to mess around occasionally, but serious laser tag players may be frustrated by their reduced range or subpar accuracy.
Then, think about what features you might want from a laser tag set. Is a long range important to you? Would you like a number of sensors to register hits?
We considered more than 20 laser tag sets before choosing the Best Choice Products Rechargeable Laser Tag Blasters as our overall favorite. It comes with four rechargeable blasters that boast a 130-foot range and features four game modes with lights and vibrations for the ultimate laser tag experience.
Editors' picks
Best Choice Products Rechargeable Laser Tag Blasters
Editors’ Favorite
Number of Blasters: 4 | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Range: 130’ | Number of Target Sensors: 1
The Best Choice Products Rechargeable Laser Tag Blasters is perfect for fun laser tag games between four kids. It features four high-quality blasters, each with a maximum range of 130 feet, allowing for competitive outdoor play. The rechargeable battery allows kids to play for up to six hours on a single charge, and the lights indicate in-game health status.
It doesn’t require kids to wear vests, thanks to the integrated sensors in each blaster that automatically detect when a player’s been hit. Team Selection allows kids to organize their teams and select their preferred game mode: single, laser, repeating or plasma blaster. Each mode features varying strength levels and shot counts per charge, adding a layer of complexity to every match.
The interactive lights, sounds and vibrational feedback are a nice touch, too. Overall, it’s a high-quality set that comes with everything you need for a competitive match.
IVOXEX Laser Tag Set
Great Value
Number of Blasters: 4 | Battery Type: AAA | Range: 130 feet | Number of Target Sensors: N/A
The IVOXEX Laser Tag Set is an excellent laser tag kit for those who want to introduce their kids to the wonderful game on a budget. It features four blasters and four vests that are comfortable enough for kids to wear during extended matches.
The blasters themselves are surprisingly durable, and the vibration feedback of each shield makes it easy for kids to know when they’ve been struck. Each blaster offers four modes — single shot, laser gun, machine gun and rocket launcher — allowing for more game versatility. The maximum range of 130 feet is standard for laser tag blasters and reloading is easy thanks to the side button on each blaster.
It’s not as comprehensive as other laser tag sets, and the use of vests can be somewhat inhibiting for younger children. However, it’s an excellent starter kit for those just learning how to play.
Squad Hero Battle Action Laser Tag 2.0 Set
Best Laser Tag Set
Number of Blasters: 4 | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Range: 150' | Number of Target Sensors: 3
If you're looking for a feature-rich laser tag set, the Squad Hero Battle Action Laser Tag 2.0 Set is an excellent choice. It contains four blasters and four front-and-back vests. We love that the blasters and vests are rechargeable, so there's no need for disposable batteries.
The blasters have an LCD display screen that registers data such as hits, lives and battery life. There are four weapon modes — laser, rocket, pistol and automatic — as well as a stealth mode, team mode and individual mode.
We like the versatility of this set, and its impressive 150-foot range works indoors and out. It's recommended for ages 8 and up, but it has enough to keep teenagers and adults interested, too.
ArmoGear Laser Tag Set
Best At-Home Laser Tag Set
Number of Blasters: 4 | Battery Type: AAA | Range: 150' | Number of Target Sensors: 2
Want the best laser tag set with a blend of affordability and features that make gameplay even more exciting? With four blasters in a set, the ArmoGear Laser Tag Set lets you choose to play individually or in team mode. The voice-guided directions ease new players into the game.
The included vests have a sensor, as do the blasters themselves, so there are two targets to hit. When you're hit, your blaster vibrates — a good thing in our book, so you don't miss the memo.
This is a solid laser tag set for up to four players. The version we're discussing runs on AAA batteries, but you also have the option of buying rechargeables for the set.
Kidzlane Laser Tag Blasters
Best Laser Tag Set Without Chest Sensors
Number of Blasters: 2 or 4 | Battery Type: AA or rechargeable | Range: 130' | Number of Target Sensors: 1
If you're looking for laser tag blasters for kids, the Kidzlane Laser Tag Blasters are excellent. The included chest sensors make it easy for kids to just pick up the blasters and play, and there are fewer parts to potentially get lost.
It gives you plenty of options, too. Pick a set of two or four blasters that use either AA batteries or rechargeable batteries. Whichever you pick, the 130-foot range gives kids plenty of room to play indoors or out. We like that they light up and vibrate while shooting, giving players an immersive experience.
These laser tag blasters are a top choice for anyone who wants affordable blasters that are easy to use. They're great for little ones, but adults can also play with team or individual modes. The flashlight setting makes nighttime games possible.
Squad Hero Light Force Edition Laser Tag Set
Best Laser Tag Set with Dual Target Zones
Number of Blasters: 4 | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Range: 150' | Number of Target Sensors: 2
We're fans of the Squad Hero Light Force Edition Laser Tag Set due to its rechargeable batteries, dual-target zones and 150-foot range. The dual sensors in this set — one on the chest harness and one on the tip of the blaster — give you more spots to aim for, and players can't just cover their chest sensor to avoid getting hit.
The set's rechargeable batteries can sail through approximately eight 30-minute games before needing more juice. You can choose to play individually or in teams. Either way, the lights on the side of the blaster track how many lives you have left. Choose from two weapon modes: pistol and automatic.
IJO Laser Tag Set
Best Indoor Laser Tag Set
Number of Blasters: 2 | Battery Type: AAA | Range: 32 feet | Number of Target Sensors: 2
While you can use the IJO Laser Tag Set outdoors, we think it’s a great indoor laser tag set due to its 32-foot range, which is significantly shorter than some. Still, it's a solid laser tag toy with dual sensors: one on the chest piece and one on the blaster.
A speaker broadcasts shooting sounds, and the vibrations during play create an immersive experience. The lights on the weapon track the number of lives you have left.
We like this set for two-player games, especially indoors and in other small areas. Four weapon modes give you more options while you play, which keeps the fun going longer.
How we analyzed
When looking for the best laser tag sets, we researched more than 20 popular options on the market. We determined the most important features by examining customer data. From there, we identified that the best laser tag sets are easy to set up, offer multiple game modes, and give you hours of play on a single charge. We also considered whether the blasters could stand up to rough use and whether they provided lights, vibrations and sound effects for the most enjoyable experience.
How laser tag equipment works
If the first thing that pops into your head when you hear the term “laser tag” is a laser cannon that melts objects à la “Star Wars,” think again. Commercial-grade laser tag sets are safe to use. The beam won’t harm players or other people or objects in the area.
Blasters
The laser blaster is usually a piece of plastic that houses a beam generator. The plastic is molded into the shape of a blaster with a trigger mechanism that activates the laser.
Most laser tag weapons are easily carried in one hand, like a pistol. Sometimes the electronics and computer chips needed to keep score or record data are included in the blaster, too. There are often lights or LCD displays on the body of laser tag weapons to keep track of how many lives players have left.
The weapon's range varies depending on the chosen model. Some basic sets have fairly short ranges. For instance, the IJO Laser Tag Set has a maximum range of 32 feet. Still, this is enough for indoor battles and small yards. Others have ranges of over 200 feet, such as the NERF AlphaPoint Laser Ops Pro Toy Blasters, which can shoot up to 225 feet.
Finally, many blasters have sound, tactile and light effects. These features are not only cool, but they also give you feedback when you make or receive a hit.
Sensor
A sensor unit measures when a laser light strikes it. Some sets come with weapons only, and the blaster is where the sensor is located. An example of this is a Kidzlane Laser Tag Blaster. But you'll often get a wearable chest sensor with your set, as is the case with the Vatos Laser Tag Blaster Set. There are also more advanced sets that contain chest, back and weapon sensors, such as the Squad Hero Battle Action Laser Tag 2.0 Set.
Infrared
Most at-home laser tag blasters use infrared lasers. You won’t be able to see this type of laser light. Therefore, you’ll want to select a laser tag weapon that has a sight on it for accurate aiming.
Back when infrared laser tag sets initially appeared on the market, consumers complained of inaccurate readings and a beam that was too wide. The technology has improved a lot in the past decade. Infrared laser weapons now work extremely well. The blasters in the Squad Hero Battle Action Laser Tag 2.0 Set, for instance, use ultra-focused infrared beams for increased accuracy.
Battery
Because the weapons and sensors are portable, they run on battery power. Most at-home laser tag sets require AA or AAA batteries, often four per blaster. You can also find some rechargeable sets, such as the Squad Hero Light Force Edition Laser Tag Set. The weapons in this set have enough battery life to propel you through eight games of about 30 minutes each.
When small children use laser tag blasters, they almost certainly burn through the batteries quickly. That’s because little ones are likely to press the trigger over and over, not caring what they hit. Older players are likely to aim more and press the trigger less, consuming less battery power.
Durability
Durability is often a shortcoming of at-home laser tag sets. Many of the blasters made for home use are constructed of cheap plastic with little weight to them. If a player bangs a weapon into objects or drops it continually, which can happen in this type of game, the blaster could malfunction.
Young children aren’t exactly known for their care with toys, so don’t be surprised if your weapons break occasionally. You could spend a bit extra on a blaster made from stronger plastic, but even strong plastic won’t protect a blaster that flies out of a running child’s hand and crashes into a tree.
Laser tag gaming
If you’re new to laser tag gaming, here’s a quick primer on how to play:
Playing at an arena
For a long time, the most common way to play laser tag was at a business that provided all of the equipment and the game area.
These arenas still exist. Perhaps your child has attended a birthday party at a laser tag arena. You pay to play there (meaning you rent the equipment), and the arena provides a scoring system and game rules. Arenas can have extensive setups, including multiple levels and realistic battlefield scenery.
Playing at home
When you play at home, you obviously provide your own equipment, such as the products on our list. You can play outdoors or indoors, but be advised that some blasters work better than others in bright sunlight. Most offer a few different gaming options, but you do get less versatility with at-home equipment than at an arena.
The goal
No matter where you play laser tag or what game you pick, the goal is always the same. You want to strike the opponent’s sensors with your weapon's laser.
You could hide behind objects to prevent your sensor from getting struck. But in most games, the more aggressive player is rewarded. In other words, striking another player is worth more than what you lose when you are struck.
Keeping score
Most at-home laser tag blaster sets keep score for you. That means there won’t be any arguments about whether a player was hit. Each time the blaster's sensor is hit by an opponent’s infrared laser beam, it records that fact. Lights or an LCD display on the weapon alert you to how many times you’ve been hit. Some sets, such as the Sharper Image Laser Tag Set, also vibrate or make sounds when you've been hit.
In many cases, once you’ve maxed out your number of allowed hits during a game, your blaster will stop working. But some weapons, including the Vatos Laser Tag Set, let you reset the blaster and start over so play isn't interrupted. This is great for kids who are in it for the fun of the battle rather than winning or losing.
Single-person laser tag
In a single-player game, it’s every person for themselves. The laser tag system awards points when you hit another player’s sensors, and it deducts points when your sensor is struck. Whoever scores the most points before time’s up is the winner.
This is a common game option at pay-to-play laser tag arenas. In another game variation, each player has a specific number of “lives.” The player with the most lives when time expires is the winner. Or, alternatively, the last player with lives remaining wins. This elimination-type game is common for the at-home laser tag sets we’re discussing here.
Team laser tag
You can play laser tag on teams. With team play, only the shots that strike opposing team members count.
Team gaming variations include “Protect the VIP,” in which each team picks one VIP to protect from their opponents’ shots.
Other simple team games involve a scoring or elimination system, as described in the single-person laser tag section above. All team members’ scores are added together to determine a winner.
Laser tag vs. paintball
Laser tag and paintball are both first-person shooting games played in an arena or on a field. But being hit with a laser beam in a laser tag game doesn’t cause pain. Being struck with a paintball projectile can cause small welts.
Laser blaster beams travel much farther than paintball pellets. Furthermore, laser tag isn’t messy, but paintball certainly can be.
Laser tag vs. airsoft
Both laser tag and airsoft are first-person shooting games. An airsoft weapon fires round pellets made of plastic or a biodegradable material. An airsoft projectile doesn’t leave a mess on the skin or clothing after striking a target, so it’s similar to laser tag in that respect. (Some airsoft pellets are coated in a powder that leaves a residue when it strikes a target.)
But unlike the painless strike from a laser tag, an airsoft projectile can leave a welt on the skin. Furthermore, airsoft pellets aren’t biodegradable; they must be collected after the game.
How we analyzed
Lauren Corona has been reporting for BestReviews since 2017 and has experience ranking and reviewing a wide range of products, including toys and games. She looked at more than 20 laser tag sets when selecting her top picks. She compared them on important factors such as range, accuracy and battery life.
FAQ
Q. How much can I expect to pay for a laser tag set?
A. For basic sets you’ll use at home — blasters with no extra sensors — you can expect to pay $25 to $35 per weapon. Sets with extra games and features can cost between $35 and $55 per blaster.
If you’re also buying a set with a separate sensor, you can expect to spend another $15 to $40 per sensor. You’ll incur the ongoing cost of replacement batteries, too, which can add up fast.
Q. Over what distance will a blaster work?
A. The accuracy and distance of at-home laser weapons vary. Advanced blasters may be able to record a hit across 100 feet or more. Cheap blasters may only work accurately over 30 or 40 feet.
If you’re playing in nighttime conditions, you should enjoy more distance and accuracy than in daylight conditions.
Q. Are the lasers safe to use?
A. Laser tag weapons use low-power lasers that do not harm people. Many blasters made for at-home play use infrared lasers; the technology is similar to that of a TV remote control.
Q. What are the biggest dangers of at-home laser tag?
A. If injuries occur during laser tag, it’s usually because players trip while running. If you’re setting up a laser tag game at home, make sure the playing field has boundaries. Remove stray objects that could pose tripping hazards. And understand that children will naturally want to run when playing this game. As such, playing inside the house can be dangerous.
Q. What are some extra features found on laser weapons?
A. The features of most at-home laser weapons are pretty simple. However, you will notice that some blasters offer tactile feedback, such as vibrations, along with lights and sounds. Kids love the lights and sounds that accompany these blasters.
