What Exactly Is a Gel Blaster?
A gel blaster (also known as a gel gun, water bead blaster, or gel soft gun) is a toy gun that shoots small, water-absorbing gel beads as ammunition. These beads — often called gel balls or gellets — are soft, biodegradable, and non-toxic, making them safe for outdoor play.
Unlike airsoft guns, which use hard plastic BBs, gel blasters fire hydrated gel beads that burst upon impact, leaving little to no mess. This makes them ideal for backyards, parks, or organized gameplay with friends.
How Do Gel Blasters Work?
Most gel blasters are powered by electric motors or manual spring systems. They use battery-powered gearboxes to load and shoot the gel beads at speeds typically ranging from 100 to 250 FPS (feet per second).
Basic components include:
- A hopper or magazine to hold the gel beads
- A motor or spring to launch the beads
- A rechargeable battery (for electric models)
- Safety features like orange tips or protective covers.
Some models also come with laser sights, LED lights, or full-auto fire modes for extra fun — like our Popblas M4A1 Blaster!
What Are Gel Beads?
Gel beads (aka hydrogel balls or gellets) are tiny polymer balls that expand when soaked in water for 3–4 hours. Once hydrated, they become soft and squishy — perfect for safe and mess-free shooting.
Quick facts:
- Made from non-toxic, biodegradable materials
- Shrink back and dissolve when dried
- Super affordable and easy to clean up
Is It Safe?
Absolutely — as long as they are used responsibly.
At Popblas, we design all of our products with safety in mind. Our blasters are intended for ages 14+ and should always be used with eye protection.
Unlike airsoft BBs or paintballs, gel beads won’t bruise or injure skin and leave minimal trace behind.
Still, we always recommend:
- Wearing safety goggles
- Never aiming at faces or animals
- Only playing in safe, open areas
Using the product according to local laws