Sharper Image Laser Tag: More Efficient Than 3 Brands

The Sharper Image Laser Tag is a 100-feet shooting range toy gun.

That’s a decent range, but not comparable to some blasters with 200+ feet ranges. But its popularity and efficient use of smaller and fewer batteries compared to several other blasters means it’s likely good value for your money.

We analyzed the features of this blaster and compared it with three brands to see what it has to offer.

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What Makes Sharper Image Laser Tag Stand Out?

The Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest has many features similar to most decent blasters and only a few shortfalls.

However, what makes it stand out from the rest are the blaster’s 1,000+ ratings on Amazon, showing just how popular it is, as well as the fact that it uses 2 “AAA” batteries per laser cannon which is one less battery needed per blaster compared to some models.

Here is a detailed evaluation of what to expect from the blaster.

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

range

100 feet range. Long range capabilities – A decent range, but not comparable to some blasters with 200+ feet ranges

indoor/ outdoor

Indoor & Outdoor Battle Games – Valuable for multiple uses

age

Manufacturer recommended age: 5 years and up. Armor Set for Kids. Safe for Children and Adults. Not for children under 3 yrs – Great for nearly anyone

team/ individual

Combine Multiple Sets for Multiplayer Free-for-All. Multiple sets are compatible with each other. Add sets for infinite players – Easy to add new blasters

receiver

WEARABLE VESTS – A more realistic target than a gun receiver

ratings

1,000+ ratings – Quite popular

price

 –

warranty

 –

weight

Item Weight: 2.4 pounds – Comparable to most blasters

dimensions

Package Dimensions: 16.57 x 11.81 x 3.11 inches – Comparable to most blasters

lighting

The lights enable nighttime or lights off play – Comparable to most blasters

batteries

Uses 2 “AAA” batteries per laser cannon (not included). 3 “AAA” batteries per vest (not included) – One less battery needed per blaster compared to some models

sound

SOUND EFFECTS. Sound cues indicate when you need to reload – Comparable to most blasters

vibration

VIBRATION EFFECTS – An extra feature compared to some blasters

weapon modes

 –

reloading

Simply pull back the slider to reload! – Comparable to most blasters

infrared emitter type

Infrared technology – Comparable to most blasters

day/ night

The lights and infrared technology enable nighttime or lights off play – Comparable to most blasters

manufacturer

Manufacturer: MerchSource

material

 –

display screen

 –

package includes

Batteries not included. Package Includes: 2 laser guns, 2 wearable armor vests, plus game and operating instructions – Comparable to most blasters

voice guide

 –

player lives

A successful shot depletes one life, indicated by triangle lights on vest. Each player starts with six lives – Six lives are a bit lower than some blasters that have 10 or more lives

preloaded shots

 –

One user indicated that it can trigger its own chest plate, because the controller for the infrared also controls the speaker which emits a low frequency soundwave triggering the chest plate – A little drawback that can be sorted by cutting the white wire leading to the speaker

The guns track ammo – Comparable to most blasters

Lights on each vest indicate remaining lives – Comparable to most blasters

Integrated point system – Comparable to most blasters

Unisex toy – Comparable to most blasters

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

But to find out if this model is truly valuable compared to the countless options available. Let’s compare it to other well-known and reputable models.

Sharper Image Laser Tag vs. Laser X

The Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest has many similarities with the Laser X – 88016 ORIGINAL with just a few instances where the Laser X offers more than the Sharper Image.

However, two key features can make Sharper Image more preferable than Laser X. One feature is the VIBRATION EFFECTS that Laser X doesn’t have. The second feature is the reloading mechanism that is simply pulling back the slider to reload, unlike Laser X’s reload by tilting the blaster through a 90 degree angle while holding the trigger.

Here’s a more detailed comparison of the two models.

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

range

100 feet range. Long range capabilities

indoor/ outdoor

Indoor & Outdoor Battle Games

age

Manufacturer recommended age: 5 years and up. Armor Set for Kids. Safe for Children and Adults. Not for children under 3 yrs.

team/ individual

Combine Multiple Sets for Multiplayer Free-for-All. Multiple sets are compatible with each other. Add sets for infinite players

receiver

WEARABLE VESTS

ratings

1,000+ ratings

price

.

warranty

.

weight

Item Weight: 2.4 pounds

dimensions

Package Dimensions: 16.57 x 11.81 x 3.11 inches

lighting

The lights enable nighttime or lights off play

batteries

Uses 2 “AAA” batteries per laser cannon (not included). 3 “AAA” batteries per vest (not included)

sound

SOUND EFFECTS. Sound cues indicate when you need to reload

vibration

VIBRATION EFFECTS

weapon modes

.

reloading

Simply pull back the slider to reload!

infrared emitter type

Infrared technology

day/ night

The lights and infrared technology enable nighttime or lights off play

manufacturer

Manufacturer: MerchSource

material

 …

display screen

 …

package includes

Batteries not included. Package Includes: 2 laser guns, 2 wearable armor vests, plus game and operating instructions

voice guide

.

player lives

A successful shot depletes one life, indicated by triangle lights on vest. Each player starts with six lives

preloaded shots

.

One user indicated that it can trigger its own chest plate, because the controller for the infrared also controls the speaker which emits a low frequency soundwave triggering the chest plate.

The guns track ammo

Lights on each vest indicate remaining lives

Integrated point system

Unisex toy

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

Laser X – 88016 ORIGINAL

range

200’ range

indoor/ outdoor

Inside or outside

age

.

team/ individual

Teams or as individuals. Compatible with all other laser X

receiver

2 vest receivers

ratings

1,000+ ratings

price

.

warranty

.

weight

Item Weight 1 pound

dimensions

Product Dimensions – 3 x 18 x 10 inches

lighting

Full-color lighting effects track of shots and Hits

batteries

6 AAA batteries (Duracell included). Three batteries per gun but no batteries needed for vests

sound

Sound effects

vibration

No vibration

weapon modes

No weapon modes

reloading

Tilt blaster through a 90 degree angle while holding trigger

infrared emitter type

Infrared beam invisible

day/ night

day or night play

manufacturer

.

material

.

display screen

No display screen

package includes

6 AAA Duracell batteries included plus two blasters with vests

voice guide

Voice coach

player lives

.

preloaded shots

10 preloaded shots

The guns track ammo

Lights on each vest indicate remaining lives

Integrated point system

Unisex toy

Laser X – 88016 ORIGINAL

Sharper Image Laser Tag vs. Kidpal

Compared to kidpal Infrared Laser Tag, Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest seems to have many similar features.

One area that Sharper Image beats Kidpal is the batteries. Sharper Image uses 2 “AAA” batteries per laser cannon and 3 “AAA” batteries per vest. Those are smaller batteries and fewer than Kidpal where each blaster uses 4 AA batteries and each vest uses 3 AA batteries. For a set of 4, you end up buying 28 AA batteries.

Here’s a more detailed comparison of the two models.

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

range

100 feet range. Long range capabilities

indoor/ outdoor

Indoor & Outdoor Battle Games

age

Manufacturer recommended age: 5 years and up. Armor Set for Kids. Safe for Children and Adults. Not for children under 3 yrs.

team/ individual

Combine Multiple Sets for Multiplayer Free-for-All. Multiple sets are compatible with each other. Add sets for infinite players

receiver

WEARABLE VESTS

ratings

1,000+ ratings

price

.

warranty

.

weight

Item Weight: 2.4 pounds

dimensions

Package Dimensions: 16.57 x 11.81 x 3.11 inches

lighting

The lights enable nighttime or lights off play

batteries

Uses 2 “AAA” batteries per laser cannon (not included). 3 “AAA” batteries per vest (not included)

sound

SOUND EFFECTS. Sound cues indicate when you need to reload

vibration

VIBRATION EFFECTS

weapon modes

.

reloading

Simply pull back the slider to reload!

infrared emitter type

Infrared technology

day/ night

The lights and infrared technology enable nighttime or lights off play

manufacturer

Manufacturer: MerchSource

material

 …

display screen

 …

package includes

Batteries not included. Package Includes: 2 laser guns, 2 wearable armor vests, plus game and operating instructions

voice guide

.

player lives

A successful shot depletes one life, indicated by triangle lights on vest. Each player starts with six lives

preloaded shots

.

One user indicated that it can trigger its own chest plate, because the controller for the infrared also controls the speaker which emits a low frequency soundwave triggering the chest plate.

The guns track ammo

Lights on each vest indicate remaining lives

Integrated point system

Unisex toy

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

kidpal Infrared Laser Tag

range

Blaster range- 130 FT

indoor/ outdoor

Indoor and Outdoor

age

Recommended age- 3 years and above

team/ individual

To use more than one kit at a time, match the laser tag gun and vest one by one. Up to 4 teams can play in this battle

receiver

With Vest

ratings

 …

price

 …

warranty

 …

weight

Weight – 4.51 Pounds

dimensions

Dimensions- 12.17 x 10 x 7.4 inches

lighting

The flashing lights on the laser blaster and vests can help determine where the enemy is

batteries

Batteries not included. Each blaster uses 4 AA batteries and each vest uses 3 AA batteries. Set of 4 totals to 28*AA batteries

sound

Lifelike shooting sounds make for deeply immersive gameplay

vibration

Tactile vibrations make for deeply immersive gameplay

weapon modes

Pistol, shotgun, machine gun, and rocket gun

reloading

 …

infrared emitter type

With a child safety infrared signal emission that is less than 1mw . The laser tag is completely harmless. It is certified safe for children of all ages

day/ night

Day and night

manufacturer

Manufacturer- Kidpal

material

Made of environmental friendly materials

display screen

.

package includes

Batteries not included, Upgraded Blasters Gun Toys with Vest Infrared Battle Mega Pack Set of 4. Plus screwdriver * 1. Adjustable Straps * 8

voice guide

 …

player lives

 …

preloaded shots

.

The guns track ammo

Integrated point system

Unisex toy

Reassuring after-sales service

kidpal Infrared Laser Tag

Sharper Image Laser Tag vs. Vatos

Finally, comparing Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest with VATOS Infrared Laser Tag Guns, we find quite a number of similarities between the two models.

But in this case, Sharper Image has many more benefits. One such benefit is the weight, which might seem counterintuitive, since a pair of Sharper Image blasters has an Item Weight of 2.4 pounds, and the Vatos 4-pack has a weight of 3.72 pounds. However, the Sharper Image blaster will end up being lighter due to fewer and smaller batteries, since it uses 2 “AAA” batteries per laser cannon and 3 “AAA” batteries per vest. The Vatos’ Battery Type is 3 X 1.5V AA batteries per gun and 3 X 1.5V AA batteries per vest.

Here’s a more detailed comparison of the two models:

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

range

100 feet range. Long range capabilities

indoor/ outdoor

Indoor & Outdoor Battle Games

age

Manufacturer recommended age: 5 years and up. Armor Set for Kids. Safe for Children and Adults. Not for children under 3 yrs.

team/ individual

Combine Multiple Sets for Multiplayer Free-for-All. Multiple sets are compatible with each other. Add sets for infinite players

receiver

WEARABLE VESTS

ratings

1,000+ ratings

price

.

warranty

.

weight

Item Weight: 2.4 pounds

dimensions

Package Dimensions: 16.57 x 11.81 x 3.11 inches

lighting

The lights enable nighttime or lights off play

batteries

Uses 2 “AAA” batteries per laser cannon (not included). 3 “AAA” batteries per vest (not included)

sound

SOUND EFFECTS. Sound cues indicate when you need to reload

vibration

VIBRATION EFFECTS

weapon modes

.

reloading

Simply pull back the slider to reload!

infrared emitter type

Infrared technology

day/ night

The lights and infrared technology enable nighttime or lights off play

manufacturer

Manufacturer: MerchSource

material

 …

display screen

 …

package includes

Batteries not included. Package Includes: 2 laser guns, 2 wearable armor vests, plus game and operating instructions

voice guide

.

player lives

A successful shot depletes one life, indicated by triangle lights on vest. Each player starts with six lives

preloaded shots

.

One user indicated that it can trigger its own chest plate, because the controller for the infrared also controls the speaker which emits a low frequency soundwave triggering the chest plate.

The guns track ammo

Lights on each vest indicate remaining lives

Integrated point system

Unisex toy

Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest

VATOS Infrared Laser Tag Guns

range

Maximum Range – 100 Feet

indoor/ outdoor

Indoor and Outdoor. You can begin a battle game in the room, yard, garden

age

Manufacturer recommended – 6-14 years

team/ individual

Multi-player makes team work important in the game. You can add multiple players by purchasing another set

receiver

With Vests (4 Pack)

ratings

800+ ratings

price

.

warranty

.

weight

Weight – 3.72 pounds

dimensions

Item Dimensions LxWxH- 10.3 x 9.3 x 7.2 inches. Product dimensions- 10.3 x 9.3 x 7.2 inches

lighting

To sync to your gun select your team or personal color on gun and then shoot vest and it will change to matching color. RED, GREEN, BLUE, WHITE, form the team according the team indicator

batteries

Battery Type: 3 X 1.5V AA batteries for each gun and 3 X 1.5V AA batteries for each vest. Total of 24 batteries are required (NOT INCLUDED)

sound

Highly simulated shooting sounds

vibration

Tactile vibration

weapon modes

4 FIRING MODES. Switch the firing modes: PISTOL, SHOTGUN, MACHINE GUN, and ROCKET

reloading

Vest detects hits and after 3 or 5 shots has to be turned off and back on

infrared emitter type

Less than 1mW, won’t harm eyes. 100% safe, using Child Safety Infrared Signal Emission

day/ night

Day and night

manufacturer

Manufacturer- VATOS

material

Material: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

display screen

.

package includes

The Laser Tag Guns Set includes 4 guns and 4 vests

voice guide

.

player lives

.

preloaded shots

3 or 5

The guns track ammo

Unisex toy

Integrated point system

Fashion, lightweight, comfortable feel and durable design is attractive for both kids and parents

Ergonomically designed with a solid grip, easy to handle even for young kids 

Release Date- November 1, 2019

VATOS Infrared Laser Tag Guns

Is Sharper Image Worth It?

Evidently, the Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest has several unique features that you may not find in the VATOS Infrared Laser Tag Guns, kidpal Infrared Laser Tag, and Laser X – 88016 ORIGINAL.

If you prefer a lighter blaster using fewer and smaller batteries or a simpler reloading mechanism, then Sharper Image Two-Player Toy Laser Tag Gun & Vest stands out from the other three in at least one of those features.

Check Out This Blaster We Reviewed Recently.

Laser X - 88016 ORIGINAL Reviewed

Pros:

- Still good as new after 5+ years of heavy commercial use


Cons:

- no screws to open it up

To read the full Laser X Review, click here.

What is Laser Tag? Everything You Need to Know

If you’re new to laser tag, here’s an introduction video to it and you can also check out our ultimate guide on our homepage.