Hot glue guns heat up to 250°F to 385°F, melting glue sticks and allowing users to squirt glue out of the nozzle via a trigger. Once the glue hits the intended object, it cools down and dries within seconds. The process is less messy and time-consuming than using super glue or wood glue.
Even though all hot glue guns work in the same basic way, they are not all equal. Some are hard to squeeze, leak, or don’t have long enough battery life for large projects. To find the best hot glue gun, I researched the most popular models on Amazon, selected the top seven, and extensively tested them all.
How I Tested the Best Hot Glue Guns
After receiving the hot glue guns, I put them through a series of tests. I used them to glue ribbon and twine to glass, wood to canvas, ribbon to plastic, and plastic to plastic. I also tested any included accessories and evaluated the guns on how comfortable they were to use, how easy the trigger was to squeeze, whether or not they leaked hot glue, and how quickly they warmed up. If the company marketed their hot glue gun as kid-friendly, I had two of my daughters, ages 6 and 13, test them and give me their honest thoughts.
After testing these hot glue guns over two weeks, I assigned each a category based on who it’s best for and provided an honest look at the pros and cons.
The Top Hot Glue Guns
Best Overall: Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun
The Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun won the best overall for many reasons, including comfortability. This lightweight hot glue gun features one of the easiest-to-pull triggers, which is essential when working on time-consuming crafts or woodworking projects. It also doesn’t leak, which was a problem with many of the other models I tested.
It has two temperatures: high and low. I could toggle between the temperature by pushing a switch toward the base. The low temperature was ideal for hot gluing fabric, foam, and floral pieces, while the high-temperature setting worked for wood, plastic, metal, and glass.
The Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun came with a pack of 30 mini glue sticks suitable for indoor and outdoor projects. (You don’t have to use the Gorilla brand, though. The gun is compatible with any 0.27” diameter mini glue stick.)
Pros:
- Easiest to squeeze handle out of all tested glue guns
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold, making it suitable for time-consuming projects
- Adjustable high and low temp setting that’s easy to change
- Doesn’t leak any hot glue when not in use
- Glue sticks suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Cons:
- Not the best choice for users who prefer full-size hot glue guns
Best Cordless: Surebonder High Temp Cordless Mini Hot Glue Gun
There are many cordless hot glue guns on the market, and the Surebonder High Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun is one of the top rated, so I tested it. I started by unboxing the hot glue gun, loading a glue stick, and then placing it on the charger. It only took a few minutes to heat up, and I was able to start working on my craft projects.
I used the Surebonder glue gun to adhere ribbon to plastic and twine to a mason jar. The detailed tip allowed for precision. The biggest con was that the battery only lasted 2-3 minutes before needing to be recharged. Fortunately, I was able to attach the power cord directly to the hot glue gun so that I didn’t have to stop working on my projects.
The ability to use this as a corded or cordless hot glue gun earns it a top spot on our list. I also appreciated the fact that it didn’t leak any glue and was comfortable to use.
Pros:
- Works as a cordless or corded hot glue gun – easy to switch between the two
- Handle is easy to squeeze, and the precision detail tip makes for accurate gluing
- No leakage even when the gun is left on for long periods
Cons:
- Cordless battery only lasts for 2-3 minutes
- Takes five minutes to warm up
- Doesn’t come with glue sticks
Best for Woodworking: Mellif High Temp Hot Glue Gun Compatible w/ Dewalt Batteries
Those who use Dewalt products and are looking for a hot glue gun to keep in the garage might like the Mellif High Temp Hot Glue Gun. It’s a full-size glue gun that works with Dewalt batteries. (It doesn’t come with a battery, though.)
As a fan of Dewalt tools, I was excited to test this hot glue gun. After unpacking it, I slid a Dewalt Battery in place and let it heat up. It heated up fast, and since it’s cordless, it was convenient to move around. I used on it several surfaces, and it worked well but had one major fault – it leaked glue.
After the initial use, I left the glue gun on while working on something else, and a small but continuous stream of glue leaked out. I think this is still a nice glue gun to have in the garage, but because of the leakage, it may not offer the precision you want.
Pros:
- Cordless and compatible with Dewalt batteries
- Warms up fast and is ready to use within a couple of minutes
- High-quality, comfortable to use design
Cons:
- Leaks glue – need to turn off in between uses
- Doesn’t come with a battery
Best for Crafts: Boswell Hot Glue Gun with Six Copper Nozzles
Those who craft often and need specific tips for projects might like the Boswell Hot Glue Gun. It comes with six copper nozzles and a wrench. When the glue gun arrived, I unpackaged it and changed the tip, which was easy to do.
The gun has adjustable heat that ranges from 140-220°C (284-428°F). I left it on the hottest temperature setting, and it heated up fast. Unfortunately, the highest setting and the widest tip caused a little leakage. I turned down the heat, and most of the leakage stopped.
I changed the tip a couple more times and used the hot glue gun to glue wood to canvas, plastic to plastic, and ribbon to glass. The Boswell glued well, and changing the tips allowed me to customize the amount of glue that came out. The handle was easy to squeeze, and the front metal rest prevented the hot tip from touching my table. I think this is a great option for avid crafters.
Pros:
- Five adjustable temps ranging from 140-220°C
- Comes with six different tips, which are easy to change out
- Easy to squeeze trigger makes it ideal for long projects
Cons:
- Gun leaks a little glue when on its hottest setting
- Depending on the nozzle width, glue runs out fast
Best Accessories: Magic Fly 60-100W Hot Glue Gun with Accessories
The Magic Fly hot glue gun comes in two colors: green or gray. I ordered the green, which looks more like a light blue. It comes in a convenient carrying case with a silicone mat, hot glue sticks, and finger caps. It’s the most aesthetically pleasing glue gun on the list and was an instant hit with my thirteen-year-old daughter.
I tested this glue gun out by gluing wood to canvas, plastic to plastic, and ribbon to a Mason jar. My daughter also used it to glue popsicle sticks together. We like the looks and accessories, but both agreed the trigger was harder to squeeze than most of the other models we tested.
I used this hot glue gun for several days and never had any problems with leakage. I think this is a good glue gun for older kids, teenagers, or those who do crafts on an infrequent basis. Avid crafters, or those who need to tackle time-consuming projects, might be better off choosing a glue gun with an easier-to-squeeze handle.
Pros:
- Comes with a carrying case, glue sticks, a mat, and finger guards
- No leakage at all
- Has two easy-to-adjust power settings for small and large projects
Cons:
- Trigger is more challenging to squeeze in comparison to the other guns we tested
Best for Kids: Glamgen Kids’ Hot Glue Gun with Carrying Case
The Glamgen Kids’ Hot Glue Gun is a mini version that comes in a small carrying case, ideal for packing in a bookbag or tackling art projects. Even though the glue gun is suitable for kids, it works well for adults, too. It comes with 20 glue sticks and 20 popsicle sticks at a budget-friendly price.
I tested this hot glue gun on various surfaces, including wood, plastic, and glass. It worked well. I also let my thirteen-year-old and six-year-old daughters try it out (supervised, of course.) Both kids thought it was useful. My oldest daughter liked that it came with crystal clear glue sticks as opposed to the cloudy versions all the other guns came with.
The biggest con to this model is that it leaks glue when not in use. We had to position it over a paper plate to prevent the hot glue from dripping on the table. I wouldn’t let younger kids use this unsupervised. There’s a good chance they’ll burn their fingers on the tip or get glue everywhere.
Pros:
- Small size is comfortable for kids to use
- Comes with glue sticks, a carrying case, and popsicle sticks
- Easy-to-squeeze trigger
Cons:
- Lots of leakage – we had to put a paper plate down to catch all the leaking glue
Best Budget: Surebonder Mini Hot Glue Gun
At only $3.68, it’s hard to find a less expensive option than the Surebonder Mini Hot Glue Gun. It works with 5/16-inch diameter glue sticks and is lightweight and comfortable to hold.
After receiving the Surebonder Mini Hot Glue Gun, I opened the package, plugged it in, and loaded a hot glue stick. After several minutes, the glue warmed, and I pulled the trigger to release the glue for my projects. I glued twine, ribbon, glass, wood, and canvas with success.
The biggest con was how hard it was to pull the trigger. I think this is a great budget-friendly hot glue gun for small crafts, but it is uncomfortable to use for larger projects.
Pros:
- Inexpensive – good quality for the price
- Doesn’t leak hot glue
Cons:
- Hard to squeeze trigger – not ideal for large projects
- Doesn’t come with glue sticks
- Took longer to warm up than other models
