The Best Glue Guns, Tested (2024 Review)

By Glenda Taylor, Debbie Wolfe

Updated on Jun 24, 2024 4:40 PM EDT

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A versatile glue gun comes in handy for creating everything from kid-friendly crafts and seasonal decorative items to fabric-based interior design pieces, such as headboards, lampshades, and no-sew pillow covers. Around the house, a hot glue gun can also help you plug nail holes, add traction to the back of rugs, and complete a host of other projects. While many types of glue require time (sometimes hours) to bond, a hot glue gun dispenses melted adhesive that bonds as it cools—usually in less than a minute—so your crafts and DIY projects go more quickly.

We tested the top glue guns on the market to help you pick the right one for your home repair and crafting needs. Our favorite of the bunch was the Gorilla Dual-Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit, which performed best in terms of durability, ergonomics, and ease of use. Whether you’re shopping for your first glue gun or are ready to upgrade to a higher-end model, keep reading to learn how to vet these tools and find out why we chose the following models as best for most crafters and DIYers. We selected each of the top picks after an in-depth review of the market and thorough product vetting.

In our tests, we evaluated hot glue guns based on their safety features, heating time, and ergonomics. We checked that the actual heating time matched what was indicated in the user manual and noted how long each device took to cool down once turned off.

We then used all the guns for various tasks to determine how comfortable and easy they were to operate. Note that while a glue’s adhesive properties can vary by brand, the adhesives themselves were not evaluated in our testing.

We put a variety of highly rated glue guns through their paces and found the following models to be among the best on the market. One is likely to be the right option for your favorite crafts and DIY projects.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 4/5; Performance 5/5; Value 5/5

The Gorilla Dual-Temp mini hot glue gun weighs just 12 ounces and boasts an ergonomic trigger that makes it easy to wield. Its well-designed nozzle allows for precise placement of hot glue, and because it features two heat settings, it can accommodate both low- and high-temp glue sticks. The Gorilla comes as a convenient kit with a pack of 30 glue sticks.

In our tests, we found the mini glue gun’s grip comfortable and liked how the built-in stand held the tool securely in place when not in use. We appreciated the short 45-second heat-up time, too.

As we continued testing the Gorilla hot glue gun over the next 6 months, we unfortunately discovered that it did leak hot-melt glue when it rested on its flip-down stand. In the upright position, it didn’t leak. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan to keep it on for more than 10 minutes. Because of this, the Gorilla mini glue gun is best for quick glue jobs. Since it is pretty petite, it may also feel uncomfortable in larger hands or over longer crafting sessions.

Get the Gorilla glue gun at Amazon, Ace Hardware (without glue sticks), The Home Depot (without glue sticks), or Walmart (without glue sticks).

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 3/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 4/5; Value 5/5

Elmer’s Craft Bond glue gun may be small and inexpensive, but it features big safety perks. This glue gun has a heat-insulated nozzle and an emergency automatic shut-off feature, making it a good option for use around children.

We were skeptical when we first started testing the Elmer’s Craft Bond glue gun. It has a small overall size and a tiny trigger, but we found the slightly curved handle fit comfortably in the palm of our hands. This glue gun is categorized as a high-temp model but has just 10 watts of power, so reaching a high melting point takes several minutes. Once it’s ready, though, it is perfectly capable of handling most crafting and home repair adhesive needs.

Get the Elmer’s glue gun at Amazon, Target, or Michaels.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 4/5; Value 4/5

Those looking for a versatile and powerful glue gun for a variety of crafts and household repairs may want to consider the Chandler Tool glue gun. With 60 watts of heating power, the glue gun will melt a variety of full-size glue sticks. It also features a unique no-drip tip designed to reduce those annoying strings of excess glue that can get on surfaces when the gun is not in use.

In addition to a kickstand, this standard-size glue gun has a built-in base that keeps the tool securely in an upright position. We found this stable base to be a standout feature, as flip-down kickstands have a frustrating tendency to still allow the glue gun to fall over. The larger size of the Chandler Tool glue gun is comfortable to hold, especially for those with larger hands. We also appreciated the safety feature of its well-insulated sleeved tip. However, the plastic body does feel a bit thin and not very durable.

Get the Chandler Tool glue gun at Amazon.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 3/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 4/5; Value 4/5

A cordless hot glue gun can be a real convenience in areas where a corded model can’t reach, and the WorkPro cordless glue gun is a quality choice. It features a 2,600-milliampere hour (mAh) rechargeable lithium-ion battery that delivers 30 minutes of continuous cordless work time and up to 110 minutes of intermittent use. It preheats in 2 minutes and fully charges in 2 hours using the included USB cable.

This mini cordless glue gun also has advanced safety features, including an auto shutdown feature that powers it off after 15 minutes of inactivity and separate LED indicators showing the glue gun’s battery level and working status.

We found this high-temp mini glue gun comfortable to use thanks to a trigger that has room for both the index and middle finger (most mini models only have space for your index finger). The LED indicators show when the gun is on and ready to dispense; it has ample power, and the cordless flexibility can’t be beat for gluing virtually anywhere.

Get the WorkPro glue gun at Amazon, Walmart, WorkPro, or Micro Center.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 5/5; Value 3/5

The Surebonder PRO2-220 is designed for high-volume and heavy-duty applications. It boasts 220 watts of power and an adjustable temperature knob that ranges from 248 to 428 degrees Fahrenheit. The tool heats up in fewer than 5 minutes and features a toggle switch near the handle base that lights up bright red to indicate when it’s on.

Definitely not for casual crafting, this robust glue gun is best for serious DIY projects and repairs, such as fixing the siding on a home and installing ceramic tile or baseboards. We liked being able to adjust the temperature, and we appreciated the removable wire stand that keeps the tool sturdy when not in use. It also comes with a durable storage case and an extra nozzle.

Although any full-size glue stick can be used in the tool, the Surebonder glue gun makes industrial-strength glue sticks designed to provide heavy-duty adhesion, and the manufacturer recommends only using its glue sticks or a similar heavy-duty formula for best results. Overall, we were impressed with the Surebonder PRO2-220, but it’s pricey and best suited for professional or heavy-duty use.

Get the Surebonder PRO2-220 glue gun at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot (with glue sticks), or Surebonder.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 5/5; Ease of Use 4/5; Ergonomics 3/5; Performance 5/5; Value 4/5

Woodworking projects like baseboard installation or building a custom frame that require adhering wood pieces together may go more smoothly and quickly with the Ryobi glue gun. This full-size high-temperature cordless glue gun features an 18-volt lithium-ion battery that produces as much heat as a 100-watt corded glue gun. With enough power to melt several types of glue sticks, the Ryobi is effective in the woodshop as well as the craft room. It’s also designed to stand upright on its own base, and a battery charger is included.

In testing, we found the Ryobi to be a powerful tool that heats up in seconds, but the battery makes use rather bulky and heavy. While this model is expensive, those who already own any Ryobi One+ cordless tool could purchase the Ryobi One+ glue gun separately at a lower price and simply use the interchangeable 18-volt batteries they already have.

Get the Ryobi glue gun at The Home Depot or Amazon.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Value 5/5

The Surebonder CL-800F glue gun offers cordless and corded operation for crafters seeking versatility and reliability. The full-size glue gun has 60 watts of power, a built-in silicone glue pad on the heating stand to catch drips, an integrated safety fuse, and side fins to prevent glue backflow when the gun is on its side. The Surebonder CL-800F features an option for cordless use, but initial heating takes 5 minutes, and the runtime is a short 1 to 2 minutes before it requires reheating. For unlimited runtime, plug the power cord directly into the bottom of the gun and use as you would a corded model.

We liked the versatility the Surebonder CL-800F glue gun gave us. Its cordless runtime was short, but it’s perfect for quick tasks. For most of our testing, we kept it plugged into the power cord to gauge the effectiveness of its other features. It did not drip when we laid it on its side due to the integrated side fins, which kept it from laying completely flat. The fins also kept the glue flowing toward the nozzle, which helped prevent the glue from backflowing. The gun maintained consistent heat, allowing a nice flow of glue, was comfortable to hold, and the LED light indicator at the top of the tool let us know when the gun was on.

There are a couple of downsides to the Surebonder CL-800F glue gun, though. First, you can’t use the nifty stand when the power cord is plugged in. This is a bummer because the stand with the silicone drip pad is one of the tool’s best features. The second issue is that removing the gun from the base can be challenging—you have to tug pretty firmly to get it out. Thankfully, the glue gun is well insulated, so there is minimal risk of getting burnt.

Get the Surebonder CL-800F glue gun at Amazon, Grainger, Surebonder, or Joann.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 4/5; Value 5/5

The Stanley GR25-2 Dual-Melt glue gun switches between high-temp and low-temp modes at the touch of a button to adapt to any repair project in no time. This glue gun also boasts a fast warm-up time, can bond materials in 60 seconds, and features a trigger-feed mechanism for precise control over the hot glue. Its built-in stand makes it convenient to use and even folds up for compact storage.

One of the glue gun’s standout features is its dual-temp functionality, meaning you can use just about any full-size high-, low-, or dual-temp glue stick. Stanley does offer reasonably priced dual-temp glue sticks specifically designed for the GR25-2, but most standard sticks will work.

The Stanley’s high-temp setting is best for wood, plastic, and metals, while low temp works on Styrofoam, fabric, and paper. In testing, we used the high-temp setting to repair broken wooden picture frames, reattach plastic cover pieces that fell off a chair, and quickly add small magnets to a cabinet for a new knife holder. With a quick slide of a button, we then switched to low-temp mode for paper and fabric crafts.

The Stanley GR25-2 Dual-Melt glue gun is comfortable to hold, and its folding stand makes it convenient to set down without the need to lay it on its side. The only con we found with the gun is that it “strings,” meaning some adhesive material is left behind on the nozzle and pulls into a string. This could be due to the actual adhesive and not the gun itself, but we found that this glue gun in particular produced a lot of strings. Overall, the glue gun performed well and is a good tool to keep around the house for quick repair jobs and general crafting.

Get the Stanley glue gun at Amazon, The Home Depot, Grainger, or Staples.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 5/5; Value 5/5

Dremel is known primarily for its rotary tools, but the Wisconsin-based company also makes various home improvement and crafting tools. The Dremel 4V USB rechargeable cordless glue pen heats up in 15 seconds and features a precision nozzle tip for detailed gluing.

This cordless glue gun has a 30-minute continuous runtime and features an automatic shutoff when idle for 10 minutes. Its ergonomic design allows you to hold the tool like a pen, helping reduce hand fatigue. It also has an indicator that blinks during heating and then turns a steady green to let you know it’s ready.

Holding the glue gun like a pen took some getting used to after only using glue guns with trigger designs, but we liked its ergonomics. Once we found the right grip, the top trigger felt natural to compress. It’s also lightweight, so holding it for a few minutes did not tire our hands. We used the glue gun to attach small items like googly eyes and sequins onto cardboard and felt fabric. We were able to get the glue onto small surfaces without burning our fingertips or making a mess with excess glue. It also worked well for minor home repairs like fixing wooden picture frames. The only con of the Dremel glue pen is that it does leak glue when not in use. This tool is best for quick tasks that do not require the glue pen to stay on for over a minute.

Get the Dremel glue gun at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Our Ratings: Temperature Control 3/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 3/5; Value 4/5

The AdTech Ultra-Low-Temp glue gun was designed for delicate tasks, and its low temperature makes it a good choice for introducing children to crafting. Its single setting runs 75 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than a standard glue gun, and it’s also well-insulated to stay cool to the touch even when it’s on. The mini glue gun is also lightweight and petite—perfect for little hands.

This AdTech glue gun is a simple tool that performs as described. It only has 10 watts of power, so it took several minutes to heat up in our test. Though suited to simple crafting tasks only, the AdTech glue gun makes an excellent addition to a school, camp, or other location where young crafters can safely use it with supervision.

Get the AdTech glue gun at Amazon or Walmart.

All glue guns dispense melted glue, but depending on the crafts and repairs you most often tackle, one model might be better suited to your use than another. Evaluating features such as how hot the unit actually gets and how much glue it dispenses will help you make the right choice.

There are both low-temperature and high-temperature hot glue guns, each with its own best uses.

When it comes to glue guns, power and heat go hand in hand. More wattage means a hotter glue gun, faster heating, and the ability to stay hot longer. A rating of 10 to 20 watts is common for low-temperature glue guns. High-temperature glue guns start at 20 watts and can go as high as 100 watts or more. For a project that requires a lot of glue, such as creating a heavy wreath from pine cones, there’ll be less downtime using a high-temperature gun with 60 watts or more. Such a project can be completed with a low-temperature gun, but it might take a minute or more between attaching pine cones to allow the gun to heat up again.

Glue guns come in full-size or mini, and size relates to the type of glue stick the tool can take. A mini glue gun takes narrow sticks that are 0.27 inches in diameter, and full-size glue guns take larger sticks that are 0.44 inches in diameter. Full-size guns dispense a larger volume of hot glue with each squeeze, while mini guns dispense a smaller amount, making them great for wrapping gifts and creating delicate craft objects such as Christmas ornaments.

For years, the only type of glue gun on the market had to be plugged into a wall outlet, but the new kids on the block are cordless models operating on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or disposable butane cartridges. Cordless models make it possible to reach spots where an outlet isn’t available, such as gluing down that loose shingle on the garden shed. A single butane cartridge or a fully charged 18-volt battery will power a glue gun for approximately 2 to 3 hours.

Most glue guns don’t have a lot of fancy bells and whistles; their design is pretty straightforward. But there are a few extra features that can make using a glue gun safer and easier.

If you still want more information about choosing and using hot glue guns, read on for answers to some of the most common questions about these handy tools for crafting and making DIY repairs.

If you need to bond hardy substrates such as wood, metal, and heavy cardboard, use a high-temperature glue gun and hot-melt glue sticks.

A wattage of 10 or above will take care of most of your crafting or repairing adhesive needs.

A glue gun should be set to the right temperature to melt the adhesive sticks it is designed to use. High-temperature glue sticks melt between 375 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and low-temperature glue sticks melt between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The glue gun’s wattage will determine how quickly the tool gets to melting temperature.

Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer in various niches. She has contributed hundreds of home, garden, and crafting articles and DIY tutorials for leading media outlets and retailers, including HGTV, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, The Spruce, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Mother Earth News. She is the author of two DIY books: Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and Crafting with Herbs from Skyhorse Publishing. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget minded.

Additional research provided by Glenda Taylor.

Staff Writer

Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries.

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