Growing up, we’ve encountered different sorts of projects, whether for school or crafting hobbies. Most of these projects would require something to bind all the parts together, so a trusty adhesive is a must-have. Certain projects call for a certain adhesive, but if you want something versatile, a glue gun is your best bet.
Glue guns are a hand-held tool that pushes the solid glue sticks from its back, then releases the molten glue through its nozzle. Considering that most people don’t have much time handpicking the right glue gun for their projects, we provided a buying guide on choosing a glue gun and a list of product recommendations that are available online to help you narrow down the choices.
Quick List - Top Glue Guns
Ingco
High Input Power Best for Industrial Use
Ingco
Mechanical-Feed Glue Gun for Sensitive Metering
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Compared to other glues that require a significant amount of time to bond, the hot glue that comes out of the guns dries immediately. It has a fast-drying feature that sticks rapidly while still capable of giving a durable bond. Also, other solvent-based pastes contain volatile compounds that may be considered dangerous at some point, but glue guns include none.
A glue gun can be a great help when you opt for faster adhesives. This handy tool is guaranteed to be beneficial for a wide variety of projects, be it for school, home DIY projects, or industrial use.
With the sheer amount of glue guns available online, we understand that it is hard to choose what type of glue gun is suitable for your works. Let’s get into the details with the buying guide below to make the choices a little less overwhelming for you.
Molten glue oozes out of the gun with the use of heat. There are three types of glue guns you can choose from. One model might be better suited than another depending on the type of project.
Low-temperature glue guns are a better choice for delicate materials used in arts and crafts. It uses about 121°C or 250°F, so the chances of heat-sensitive materials like ribbons, fabrics, and plastics from being damaged are lessened. Low-temperature glue guns are also safer for kids compared to high-temperature ones, but of course, there should always be adult supervision.
High-temperature glue guns are more suitable for heavy-duty projects. It is much preferred when working with substantial materials like woods, metals, and the likes. It can reach around 193°C or 380°F, a wide difference indeed.
There are also glue guns that provide dual-temperatures. It can be switched between high temperature and low temperature as the user’s will. It is much more flexible to use though it may cost a bit more compared with single temperature guns.
Another quality to think about is the glue gun’s feed type. Trigger-fed guns push the glue stick inside as you press the trigger. Each pull on the trigger shifts the glue into the heater while dispensing glue through its nozzle. This type is more convenient to use and allows for a one-hand operation.
On the other hand, push-fed glue guns require the user to push the glue stick with their thumb to release the molten glue. Note that push-fed guns may cause uneven glue lines due to uneven pressure on the trigger compared to trigger-fed.
Glue guns rely on a power source to emit heat used when smelting solid glues. Depending on your preference, you can pick between a battery-powered glue gun or a plugged-in glue gun.
If you're looking for one that you can easily use wherever you may be, a battery-powered glue gun is the best choice for you. Since they are cordless, battery-powered glue guns are portable and suitable for outdoor projects and repairs.
Meanwhile, corded glue guns require the use of power cords to perform. It provides a limited but stable connection from the power source, therefore, removing the worry of any pauses in the middle of the task.
Power and heat go hand in hand when it comes to glue guns. The higher the input power used by the glue gun, the higher the temperature it exercises. Low-temperature glue guns can have around 10 to 20 watts. However, expect a higher wattage for high-temperature glue guns that start from 20 watts and can go as high as 100 and more.
Look into the glue stick size that's compatible with the glue gun. Most glue guns already come with the 11mm variant. It provides more glue and is excellent for crafting and industrial projects. On the other hand, 7mm glue sticks are paired with smaller glue guns. Some are available in different colors, even glow-in-the-dark.
Whichever the size, you also need to check the glue gun's heat-up time. The average heat-up time of a glue gun varies from 15 seconds up to 8 minutes, depending on the heat it projects. The quicker the heat-up time, the faster you can use it and finish a project.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Harden Industrial Hot Melt Glue Gun | ![]() | Heavy-Duty Glue Gun With a Conversion Switch | |
2 | Ingco Industrial Electric Glue Gun|With 8pcs of Glue Sticks | ![]() | High Input Power Best for Industrial Use | |
3 | Lomvum Cordless Glue Gun | ![]() | Portable and Dual Temperature Glue Gun | |
4 | Ingco Corded High Temperature Hot Glue Gun|With 2pcs of Glue Sticks | ![]() | Mechanical-Feed Glue Gun for Sensitive Metering | |
5 | Ingco Lithium-Ion Cordless Glue Gun|With 3pcs of Glue Sticks | ![]() | Cordless Glue Gun for Your Home DIYs | |
6 | Bestguard Glue Gun|With Free Glue Stick | ![]() | Compact Glue Gun for School Projects | |
7 | Lotus Small Glue Gun | ![]() | Small Glue Gun With Adjustable Temperature | |
8 | Tolsen Industrial Glue Gun|With 2pcs of Glue Sticks | ![]() | Handy Glue Gun Offering Good Control | |
9 | Mitsushi Hot Melt Glue Gun | ![]() | Versatile and Fast Heating Glue Gun | |
10 | Hoyoma Big Glue Gun|With 3pcs of Glue Sticks | ![]() | User-Friendly Glue Gun Best for General Work |
This bright-colored glue gun is packed with great features that you can utilize. It comes with a conversion switch that can move back and forth between 60W and 100W. It also has a rapid pre-heating time- starting from 30 seconds with its ceramic heater, 50% faster than a regular glue gun.
Another good quality of this product is its copper nozzle and a three-finger, large trigger to increase pressure. It can provide a smooth and steady flow of molten glue recommended for fine crafting. It can be used on wood, plastic, ceramics, card, glass, fabrics, and leather. It is also designed with a fold-out stand when you rest it down and is compatible with 11mm glue sticks.
This glue gun has the highest input power on the list. With its 220W input power, this glue gun is certainly recommended for industrial use. It melts the glue stick thoroughly considering it has 3-5 minutes heat-up time. It also has an on/off switch.
This a great tool for those who made a hobby out of repairing and mending. It releases molten adhesive that is suitable not only for wood crafts but also for metals such as stainless steel and alloy. Aside from the glue gun, you'll also receive 8 pcs of glue sticks and a warranty card.
Although this glue gun is on the expensive side, it is very durable so you'll be able to use this for many years. Designed for heavy-duty, it is definitely worth your investment.
This glue gun offers versatility with its dual temperature feature. With its high and low-temperature settings, it is suitable for any type of material. It also utilizes a PTC heating system to guarantee high power and rapid heating.
It is charged via a USB connection and requires 3 hours of charging time. Once it is fully charged, it can run up to 2 hours of sustained work. It is small and lightweight at 220 grams, you won’t have any trouble gluing tight areas at all. Also geared with a muzzle end bracket design, it's capable of self-standing.
Together with the smooth glue output provided by its round nozzle, it can certainly help to create the polished work you are aiming for. You can choose between the Ordinary style, which covers only the unit, and the Flagship style, which comes with 30pcs of glue sticks.
If you are looking for a high-temperature glue gun but want to keep the flow of glue under control, Ingco's GG148 Glue Gun is the product for you. It utilizes a mechanical-feed system providing good control of the glue. It also uses 100W of input power making it suitable for industrial use.
In addition, it has a large trigger for additional pressure in the glue flow. However, you may need to exert additional force since it’s a little harder to squeeze compared to an average glue gun. It is compatible with 11-mm glue sticks and comes with a fold-out stand.
If you’re looking for a handy tool for your home improvement projects, this glue gun from Ingco is a perfect choice. This cordless glue gun releases a thick glue that is suitable for heavy-duty works. It uses a Lithium-Ion battery to provide input power up to 100W.
It has a switch and a LED light indicator for easy confirmation and operation. It also saves time with a rapid heat-up time of 60 seconds using its PTC heater.
This product is an excellent tool for keeping your home in its best condition. Though it is considerably expensive, it remains an effective and efficient glue gun to use. Also, note that the battery and charger of this product are not included and are sold separately.
This is a glue gun especially recommended for students. It is small and compact, making it easier to carry around in backpacks. It also has a dual temperature feature making it versatile- fit for a variety of school projects with only 15W.
It is trigger-fed, which makes it easier to use. It also has a 60-second warm-up time, reducing the waiting time for a quick arts and crafts project. It also has a fold-out stand that provides safety of use. Safe, handy, and quick, not to mention being budget-friendly, this is truly a quality tool for the students.
This is a great choice if you opt for a storage-friendly glue gun. It has a small and compact structure that makes for easy storage. You won’t have any trouble looking for a large space to store it. It has a quick 60-second warm-up time. It also quickly bonds the materials together.
Despite its small frame, it can handle dual temperature with its one-touch selector. It can be switched between high and low temperatures with only 10W of input power. Along with its fold-out stand, this glue gun is ideal even for kids, naturally, with adult guidance.
This 79105 Tolsen glue gun is made with durable materials such as steel alloy and a sturdy plastic shell. It is guaranteed to last for years with proper usage and storage. With its composition, it minimizes the heat received by its user for easy handling.
Also, its trigger-fed function, along with its 3mm nozzle, ensures a good flow of glue. With this, it provides good control for a precise application. It is compatible with 11mm glue sticks and comes with a fold-out stand. Overall, this offers good quality of output from a heavy-duty glue gun.
This is a simple yet flexible glue gun. With its 40W input power, it can be used for a variety of bonding jobs. Be it for woodworks, metal products, cardboard, and even up to delicate materials like artificial flowers and cardboards.
It is equipped with a fast-heating material to reduce the waiting time- you only need less than a minute of warm-up time. It is great to use for quick crafts and repairs. This glue gun is an ideal option for those who still can’t decide between high and low-temperature glue guns. It offers versatility yet still affordable.
Hoyoma is a brand known for its power tools and industrial equipment. And as you have expected, they also developed simple glue guns that are suited for general works. This glue gun is suitable for woodwork, for example, in creating furniture.
It has a power input of 40 watts and comes with 3pcs of glue sticks. This product is Taiwan-made but uses Japanese technology. Apart from industrial works and furniture making, you can also use this glue gun for repairing toys as well as arts and crafts projects that involve artificial flowers, cardboard, and other decorations.
If you have a lot of different arts and craft ideas in mind, use your free time to get creative and productive. Take this opportunity to make your ideas come to fruition. Check out the links below to browse our other buying guides and product recommendations on acrylic paints, calligraphy tools, and colored pencils.
Author: Laurence Joemari Solomon
No. 1: Harden|Industrial Hot Melt Glue Gun
No. 2: Ingco|Industrial Electric Glue Gun|With 8pcs of Glue Sticks
No. 3: Lomvum|Cordless Glue Gun
No. 4: Ingco|Corded High Temperature Hot Glue Gun|With 2pcs of Glue Sticks
No. 5: Ingco|Lithium-Ion Cordless Glue Gun|With 3pcs of Glue Sticks
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