To help you select the right glue gun for your needs, we researched and tested the best options on the market, considering the size, temperature controls, and heater wattage of each. Our favorite pick, the Surebonder Cordless Hot Glue Gun, heats to high temperatures quickly and bonds well to multiple different surfaces. Here, the best hot glue guns available now. Safety features include a safety fuse, insulated nozzle, and side fins that prevent glue from flowing backing up when the gun is laid down. When placed down, the warming base ensures your glue stays hot in between uses, and the glue pad catches any glue that may leak out to prevent a mess. The 60-watt capacity ensures a continuous stream of glue, and the 380 degree heat ceiling create optimal bonding for non-porous surfaces. User report success with plastic, brick, metal, wood, and more. The battery only lasts for three minutes when not plugged in, but many users reported success long past this time mark. One thing to note, this pick can leak when not in use for a few minutes, but the low price point and staying power earns this option our top spot. Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.5 x 3.2 inches | Weight: 0.85 pounds | Power Source: Cordless, Plug Users also appreciate that this glue gun is sturdy, convenient to use, and does not fall over. Also, at one pound, the Ryobi P305 is relatively lightweight. However, the battery life gets used up quickly, and a few noted that it would be helpful to have a temperature gauge. Dimensions: 2.75 x 6.5 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Power Source: Battery It offers a high-heat setting (374°F) as well as a lower heat setting (311°F) so that you can easily choose the temperature that makes the most sense for your project. The nozzle and trigger make the glue gun easy to work with—you can easily direct the glue to precisely where you want it to go, and only a delicate touch is needed on the trigger. Plus, it has a sturdy stand. Users appreciate that this Gorilla glue gun doesn’t leak or drip glue and that it reaches extremely high temperatures in a flash. Dimensions: 2 x 6 x 7 inches | Weight: 0.42 pounds | Power Source: Not listed The glue comes out smoothly, sans any drips, and with great precision. This Surebonder glue gun offers an ergonomic trigger, so you can comfortably use it for hours, as well as an on-off switch, power light, and detachable stand. Our home tester appreciates its power, the speed with which the glue gun heats up, and its handy storage case. Dimensions: 2.75 x 10.25 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric Because it’s lightweight, kids will be able to hold it easily. There’s an LED indicator so kids can easily see when the glue gun is on, as well as a handy on-off switch. Along with the finger protectors, the glue gun also comes with colored glue sticks, for extra crafting fun, and a creative guide. Users report that it was a great gift for kids and grandkids and particularly appreciated the color glue option. Dimensions: 6.69 x 5.91 x 1.18 inches | Weight: 0.95 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric This glue gun preheats in one to three minutes and contains a smart temperature control function, which helps to prevent the gun from overheating. Useful features, like a stand and controlled three-finger trigger, make the glue gun easy to operate. Our tester describes the Cobiz Full Size as heavy-duty and sturdy, but note that it’s lightweight enough that even people with smaller hands can use it with ease. Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.9 x 2.2 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Power Source: AC/DC
Temperature Control
How fast your glue gun produces adhesive depends on how hot it is. Some glue guns don’t offer any temperature control—just an on-off switch—while other models let you turn the temperature up or down to produce glue at a faster or slower rate. This is important if you need more adhesive quickly or want to slow down the flow for intricate projects.
Glue Stick Size
Each glue gun is designed to operate with a specific size of glue stick, ranging from smaller, thinner 7mm glue sticks up to larger 15mm glue sticks. For any glue gun you’re considering, pay attention to its compatible glue stick size to make sure you don’t end up with mismatched materials!
Why Trust The Spruce Crafts?
This round-up was researched and written by Madeleine Burry, a lifestyle writer whose work has been published in Women’s Health, Livestrong.com, Good Housekeeping, and more. For this article, she consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews to find the best picks for your needs. Additional reporting was done by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce brands covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She’s also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product round-ups, interviews with experts, and more.
