Hot glue guns are handy tools for lots of different arts and crafts projects. Hot glue (or hot melt) from a glue gun can be used on all sorts of materials, from paper to beads and metals. Depending on what your project is, there are different hot glue guns on the market to suit your needs.
In this review, we first take you through what to consider when you’re looking to purchase a hot glue gun. Following this, we’ve reviewed and ranked our top ten hot glue gun choices on the market. We’ve also chosen from these the best overall product, the best runner up and highlighted the best for specific cases. These reviews are followed by a buyer’s guide which takes you through all the must-know details about hot glue guns, and an FAQ to answer any questions you might have.
If you’re wanting to purchase a hot glue gun but don’t know where to start, then this review is for you!
What to Consider When Purchasing A Hot Glue Gun
Whatever your craft or DIY project, you need a list of tick-boxes when going to purchase a tool to get your choice right. Here, we give you the top five things to think about when looking for a hot glue gun to buy.
Budget
Hot glue guns come at all sorts of price points for a variety of different budgets. You need to weigh up the price against how often you plan to use your tool, and the results you’re wanting to achieve. You might find a cheap glue gun for sale, but will it be good enough for your desired use? Don’t rush your decision, and set a budget to make sure you’re happy with what you buy!
Feed Type
There are two types of feed to get the glue stick into the heating barrel for hot glue guns. The first of these is manual, where the user pushes the glue stick to heat the glue. The second is trigger feed, where the user holds down a trigger that pushes the glue.
Manual feeds are less popular as the glue can be pushed unevenly. This can lead to glue sticks not fully melting. Trigger feeds are better in this respect, as the flow of glue is more regulated. Ultimately, whatever feed type you chose comes down to personal preference!
Heating Capacity
Some hot glue guns are more powerful than others. Your level of experience and specific project needs are important to think about when looking at which tool to buy. How quickly the glue gun heats up and the temperatures it can reach are important factors in this.
Corded Or Battery Operated
You can get different types of power sources for hot glue guns. The types of projects you’re doing will impact the type of tool you want to buy. Always look at how the product is powered and think about whether it’s suitable for your needs.
Top 10 Best Hot Glue Guns 2021
Best Overall
1. PROkleber Hot Melt Glue Gun Kit
Key Features
2-3 minute heat up time
Silicone finger protectors
Storage bag
12pcs free glue sticks
Our Rating
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Our Take
If you want something a bit extra for your money, PROkleber has the product for you! This hot glue gun is a great universal tool that is professionally made to German Quality Standards. It features an ergonomic design made from durable plastic and metal, which lasts a long time. With a 100-watt corded power supply, you get a fast heat-up time of 2-3 minutes with this glue gun. It also has a built-in metal stand to elevate the nozzle away from surfaces when not in use.
Additionally, PROkleber throws in 12 free glue sticks and a large storage bag with room for the tool and additional glue sticks. It also comes with 3 of their handy silicone finger protectors. These are ideal for keeping hot glue away from your fingers, the easiest thing to burn when using a hot glue gun. PROkleber certainly gives you a lot for your money!
Runner Up
2. CCBetter Upgraded Version Mini Hot Melt Glue Gun
Key Features
3-5 minute heat up time
20 watts
Anti-hot cover and safe power switch
Trigger feed
30pcs free glue sticks
Our Rating
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Our Take
The CCBetter hot glue gun kit is a great product with reliably high ratings. It features a relatively quick heat-up time of 3 to 5 minutes and a 55-inch cable power supply. There’s a plastic cover to stop the outside of the glue gun from getting too hot to touch and a safety power switch. Included, you also get a built-in metal stand to keep the hot nozzle off your surfaces, and an LED indicator light to tell you if the glue gun is on. Trigger feed propulsion makes this glue gun efficient and straightforward.
Relatively inexpensive and comes with 30 free glue sticks, the CCBetter hot glue gun kit is a good all-rounder for DIY beginners. Reviews also say that it is light and versatile, and is very easy to use.
Best For Specific Uses
3. Ryobi P305 One 18V Lithium Ion Cordless Hot Glue Gun
Key Features
Battery-powered cordless
Trigger feed
3pcs free multipurpose glue sticks
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Ryobi P350 One hot glue gun is unique in our review and is a rare find. It is a battery-powered cordless multipurpose glue gun that uses lithium-ion batteries. It has a 4-hour battery life and is extremely portable making it versatile for a wide range of jobs. However, the battery is not included. The trigger feed is large enough to support two fingers, which gives you substantial control over the glue stream. It also features an LED indicator to tell you whether your tool is on or not, keeping you safer during use.
With a comfortable and ergonomic design, you’re paying a bit more for the battery-powered feature. However, if you want something professional and portable, and don’t mind paying out that bit extra, the Ryobi P350 One hot glue gun is a great investment for you!
4. HAUSHOF Hot Glue Gun with 20-Piece Mini Glue Sticks
Key Features
3-5 minute heat up time
Silicone safety cover
Trigger feed
20 pcs free glue sticks
Our Rating
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Our Take
HAUSHOF’s hot glue gun is another solid choice for most DIYers. Again, with a 3 to 5-minute heat-up time and fast-bonding glue fit for most materials, this product is great for many tasks. This time, you get a silicone anti-hot cover and a removable protective sleeve as well as an insulated nozzle. It also comes with a foldable plastic bracket to keep the hot nozzle off of your surfaces. This is another trigger feed product that will give you an even and reliable hot melt application.
Coming with 20 free glue sticks, this is another good starter hot glue gun kit. It’s also compatible with low-temperature sticks, so can bend to a range of tasks. As a mini product with high ratings, you can’t go wrong with the basics when you buy a HAUSHOF hot glue gun.
5. Blusmart Mini Hot Glue Gun
Key Features
3-5 minute heat up time
Trigger feed
30pcs free standard glue sticks
10pcs free color glue sticks
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Blusmart Mini Hot Glue Gun is a high-performing tool with nearly 2,500 stellar reviews on Amazon. Again, it has a heat-up time of 3 to 5 minutes and features smart temperature control to keep performance and hot melt output consistent. You get a neat LED indicator and a power switch to optimize for safety and efficiency, and a strong plastic coating to protect your hands. It also features a stand to keep the hot nozzle off of your surfaces.
This glue gun is trigger controlled and deploys glue at a steady and even pace under extremely high temperatures. Small, corded, and compact, it’s a great beginner’s tool. As a bonus, the kit includes 30 standard adhesive glue sticks and an extra 10 color glitter glue sticks. This is great for extra decoration on your craft projects. Reviewers love this product, and we’re sure you will too!
6. Chandler Tool Hot Glue Gun – 60 Watt
Our Take
Chandler Tool’s Hot Glue Gun is a heavy-duty product with some great unique features. This product comes in a cool stand-up format, keeping the hot glue gun nozzle far off any surface and lessening the chance of hot melt dripping. The stand-up base allows for ease of access and quick pick-up. The professional quality of this tool is noted by reviewers, who also love the fact that Chandler Tool is a well-known American brand.
With this hot glue gun, you get a 60-watt corded power supply and 10pcs free glue sticks. Although this is less than included with other models, with Chandler Tool you know you’re getting great American quality at a reasonable price.
7. Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit with 30 Hot Glue Sticks
Key Features
Dual temperature
Trigger feed
45 second working time
30×4” mini hot glue sticks
Our Rating
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Our Take
Gorilla is a world-famous glue brand that caters to all possible DIY glue needs. It’s known for quality and durability, and this glue gun is no exception. Featuring a dual temperature barrel and precision nozzle, this glue gun is flexible to a wide range of products. It’s got a quick glue working time of 45 seconds, and the built-in wide base features a safety stand to keep the hot nozzle away from any surfaces.
Included in this hot glue gun kit are 30 of Gorilla’s 4” mini hot glue sticks. However, this glue gun is compatible with a whole range of Gorilla glue stick products, which are known for their strength and durability. If you want a purchase that is recognizable and reliable, the Gorilla glue gun is for you.
8. Hot Glue Gun High Temp-Cobiz Full Size
Key Features
1-3 minute heat up time
Full size
Dual power
Rubber finger protectors
10pcs free premium glue sticks
Our Rating
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Our Take
Corbiz’s hot glue gun is another highly-rated and versatile product. It features a dual power (60/100 watt) barrel and rapid heating in 1-3 minutes. This means it will be ready very speedily for any of your DIY needs. Made in high-quality plastic with an ergonomic design, this isn’t a mini glue gun like many others on the market. Go for Corbiz’s product if you want a full-sized glue gun for those bigger crafts and DIY tasks.
For a limited time, with Corbiz you get a 45-day refund period and a 3-year warranty, making this a great insured purchase for any DIYer. You also get two rubber finger protectors and 10 premium glue sticks thrown in. This is a slightly more pricey model, but with high ratings and great guarantees from the manufacturer, you can’t go wrong!
9. CCbetter Hot Glue Gun
Key Features
3-5 minute heat up time
100 watts
LED safety switch
10pcs free glue sticks
Our Rating
Check Price
Our Take
This is the second CCBetter product in our review and for good reason. This model is slightly more powerful than the other glue gun listed, coming in at 100 watts corded power supply rather than 20 watts. It has a 3-5 minute quick heat-up time and comes with 10pcs free glue sticks. Although less than their other glue gun, you do get more power for your money here, and a fancier tool. It features an ergonomic plastic coating and fire-proof thermal insulation to prevent overheating and accidental burns.
Additionally, there’s an on/off switch and LED indicator, making this a great product in terms of safety features. This multi-functional tool is again highly rated, but we think you get a bit more for your money with some of the other products in this review.
10. Tilswall Mini Hot Melt Glue Gun
Key Features
3-minute heat up time
12pcs free glue sticks
Trigger feed
Silicone nozzle cover
Our Rating
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Our Take
Hot Glue Gun Buyers’ Guide
Now you’ve read the reviews, our buyers’ guide will take you through all the information you could want to know about hot glue guns. Glue guns are very basic tools most of the time. However, there are a few things you should know to pick the optimum model and operate it correctly.
How Are Hot Glue Guns Powered?
You can get hot glue guns powered in different ways. If you opt for a corded model, you’ll need to work near a power socket when using your glue gun. However, you can get some battery-operated models these days which give you more freedom to move around when using them.
Corded glue guns are a lot more common than battery powered. We only feature one battery-powered model in our review, as there aren’t many great ones on the market. However, if you need to move around a lot when using your tools, this might be your best option. Think about what kind of projects you’re going to be undertaking to work out which type of power will be best for you!
How Does A Hot Glue Gun Work?
Knowing how your DIY tools work is a great way to make sure you use them properly. A hot glue gun works by heating sticks of glue which are pushed through a barrel. The glue then comes out of a nozzle in liquid form, ready to be applied to any surface. Hot glue guns are very simple tools and are extremely easy to use, making them a must-have for any DIYer!
Which Materials Can You Use A Glue Gun On?
As mentioned before, hot glue or hot melt can be used on a lot of different materials. Typically, a lot of crafters will use hot glue on things like paper, cards, and textiles. The use of hot glue on wood is also pretty common.
You can also apply hot glue to metals and glasses, but it’s important to remember that these surfaces can be slippy. As they are non-porous materials, the glue won’t grip as well to these surfaces as it will to those with more texture. Think about the type of surface you’re using onto before you start your project, as a hot glue gun might not be suitable.
Some glue guns are compatible with low-temperature glue sticks, and occasionally you can even get colorful or glitter glue sticks for decorating. The range of what you can buy and its uses is getting wider every day. Keep an eye out for new products on the market as you might find something unique for a great new craft project!
Heating Capacity
Heating times for hot glue guns can vary. They usually take between 15 seconds to 8 minutes to heat the glue. As well as this, the glue melting rate (in gr/h) is an important indication of how quickly the glue gun works. Hot melt can reach temperatures of around 356 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. Look at all of these measures to consider whether the glue gun will be quick and efficient enough for your projects.
If you’re needing to work quickly, a higher-powered tool that will heat glue fast will be necessary. However, maybe you like to take your time with your DIY, and don’t need the glue to heat up quickly. This consideration will change which models of hot glue gun you will look at.
Safety
Like with any DIY tool, hot glue guns can be dangerous. Whilst hot glue adhesives are usually safe to use and don’t cause any significant health hazards, there are still safety issues with using them. Hot melt can burn skin very easily, and cause damage to surfaces if spilled. Wearing protective gear when working with hot glue is a must. For example, get yourself a good overall or apron, goggles to protect your eyes, and heat-proof gloves to keep your hands safe.
If you do spill hot glue on yourself or another surface, check out our article on how to remove hot glue for advice to avoid damage and burning!
FAQs
What Can A Hot Glue Gun Be Used For?
Glue guns are very versatile tools that can be used for many different things. They’re great for many crafting projects, like adding beads or sequins to fabrics or other materials and creating art with dried flowers. They can also be helpful when reupholstering some furniture or decorating photo frames. It’s really up to you what you use a hot glue gun for. The possibilities are endless!
How Do I Stop Hot Glue Leaking From The Gun?
Often, when you set your hot glue gun down, the hot melt will leak from the end. You can’t stop this from happening, but you can protect the area you’re setting your tool down on. To do this, place it on a sheet of cardboard or paper, or a tray, you don’t mind getting covered in glue.
Can I Change My Glue Gun Temperature?
Some hot glue guns are adjustable to melt glue at different temperatures. However, to use a lower-temperature glue, you usually need special glue sticks that don’t need to be heated as much to melt. You can get these from most craft stores. They are great for more fragile materials that may melt with hot glue, such as some plastic foams like styrofoams.
Are There Materials I Shouldn’t Use A Hot Glue Gun On?
You should avoid using hot melt on flammable materials. This is because the hot glue might cause burning or even fire. If you’re going to use more sensitive materials like packing foam, opt for lower-temperature glue sticks.
