How to Find the Best Hot Glue Gun for Crafts: Our Top 8 Picks

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Shaleena Quinlan

Shaleena is a freelance writer and avid crafter. She knows how to work with her hands and enjoys seeing her beautiful creations. Her goal is to get more supplies for her crafting station. She wants to help you work on your next project, from crocheting to painting or even sewing. In her spare time, she enjoys farming and gardening.

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Glue, it is the technology that holds the crafting world together, literally.  It comes in a variety of forms, each of which focuses on its ability to paste together particular materials, such as fabric or wood.  When it comes down to it though, hot glue is the ultimate in quick crafting, and actually, in functional and durable crafting too.

If you have ever wondered why there are so many varieties of hot glue guns on the market, how they each work, and which one is the best, keep reading.  We are going to dive deep into the fun and fabulous world of hot glue and hot glue guns.  

In this article, we are going to discover what makes a hot glue gun the best, as well as, provide a few product recommendations for your crafting supplies.  The purpose of this guide is to make the selection process and simple and straightforward as possible so you can get back to your craft room pronto.  Let’s get into it.

Finding the Features of the Finest

To provide you with recommended products would not be enough.  You need to understand what features come together to make up the best Hot Glue Guns.  If we skipped over this, you would only be partially informed and partially prepared to take on any crafting project you have planned.  But, if we do talk about what these features are, you will be equipped with the knowledge to select the right type of hot glue gun for any project.

When you begin looking around for a new hot glue gun, keep the following features in mind:

Cord Type

Hot Glue Guns can come with or without a cord.  Both of these options have their benefits and their drawbacks.  You will need to determine which of these cords is best for your crafting needs.  To help you with this, let’s compare and contrast the pros and cons of each.

Corded Glue Guns:

Pros

• Provides up to 90 minutes of heated gluing time
• Inexpensive
• Reliable
• Heats up quickly (3 to 5 minutes average)

Cons

• They must be used near an electric outlet
• The cord can get in the way of crafting

Cordless Glue Guns

Pros

• No cord to bother the crafting process
• No need to find an electric outlet to use them
• They come with a charging base

Cons

• They can lose their charge during a project
• They must be recharged before working through a project

Gun Size

Hot Glue Guns come in either mini or full size and you will need to determine which of these best suits your crafting needs.  To do this, let’s take some time to examine the pros and cons of differently sized glue guns.

Mini Glue Gun

Pros

• Easy to hold
• Maneuverable
• Lightweight
• Inexpensive
• Easy to find glue sticks to match

Cons

• Typically do not provide high temperatures
• Glue sticks are smaller and do not last very long
• Do not have a long lifespan

Full-Size Glue Gun

Pros

• Uses large glue sticks which means it has more glue for projects
• Puts out more glue than mini versions

Cons

• Difficult to use in tight spaces
• Large glue sticks can be hard to find in stores

Heater Wattage

The wattage on the heater will become vastly important when you consider what types of projects you will craft with your glue gun.  If you are doing basic paper projects, then you can get a glue gun with a low wattage; however, if you are working with heavier materials or intend to use your glue gun for home improvement projects, you should get a glue gun with high wattage.

Options 

Hot Glue Guns come with a variety of additional features that you may be interested in.  Let’s talk about a few of the extra options that come with glue guns so you can be on the lookout for guns that have these features.

On/Off Switch – Some glue guns turn on automatically when they are plugged in and unplugging them is the only way to switch them off.  If you would prefer to keep your glue gun plugged in but still keep prioritize safety, you may want to look for a glue gun that has an on/off switch.

Stand – If you want to store your glue gun upright while it is not being used, then you may want to look for a glue gun with a stand.  This little feature can actually help to prevent the glue gun from gluing itself to whatever material it is resting on.

Sleeved Tip – This is a safety feature that is designed to prevent burnt fingers.  A glue gun with a sleeved tip is a great way to ensure that your project will be completed without a lot of pain.

Price

Set a budget for yourself so that you don’t overspend on this tool.  Hot Glue Guns range in price from very inexpensive to a considerable investment.  If you need a glue gun that will last for years and work on tough projects it may be worth the expense but if you only need a glue gun once in a while, then look for something reasonably priced.

Temperature Control

This is an important consideration because if you don’t get a Hot Glue Gun that has a high enough temperature, you won’t be able to finish your project.  You will need to know what types of projects you plan to work on in order to determine which of these is best for your crafting needs.

Low Temperature – Hot Glue Guns in this category will get up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.  These are the type of glue guns that are ideal for children’s projects or basic paper projects.

High Temperature – Hot Glue Guns in this category will get up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.  These are the type of glue guns that should be used with glass, fabric, plastic, wood, and metal.  

Dual-Temperature – Hot Glue Guns in this category offer the best of both worlds.  If you are planning to work on all sorts of projects, you may want this type of glue gun.  It will require that you have glue sticks designed for both low and high temperatures, but that is not a big setback.

Pinpointing the Perfect Product

Now that we know what to look for in a Hot Glue Gun we can begin searching for the best on the market.  Let’s go shopping.

The Best Budge Hot Glue Gun: Vastar 6 in 1 Glue Gun

If you need a practical and inexpensive glue gun, this is the best option.  It offers the basics that most crafters need from a glue gun without a ridiculous price.

Pros

• Temperatures reach up to 329 degrees Fahrenheit
• The highest temperature is reached in 3 minutes
• Designed with a stand
• Includes an on/off switch
• Includes an LED light indicator when it has heated to its highest temperature
• Reasonably priced
• 60 Watts of power
• Designed to be drip-proof

Cons

• None

The Best Corded Hot Glue Gun: Chandler Hot Glue Gun

Perhaps you like the old classic glue guns with an electric cord.  If so, you one of these glue guns.

Pros

• It comes in two different colors, blue and pink
• Designed with a stand
• 60 Watts of power
• Designed to be drip-proof
• Reasonably priced
• Designed with finger protecting guard
• Includes glue sticks

Cons

• Does not have an on/off switch
• Does not include an LED light indicator when it has heated to its highest temperature

The Best Cordless Hot Glue Gun: Ryobi P305 Cordless Hot Glue Gun

If you have decided that cords are too much of a hassle, then this glue gun is going to make you smile.

Pros

• It is lightweight
• Designed with a stand
• Includes an on/off switch
• Includes an LED light indicator when it has heated to its highest temperature
• Can run up to 3 hours after being charged

Cons

• Requires the additional purchase of batteries and charger
• There is not a temperature control switch

The Best Dual-Temperature Hot Glue Gun: Boswell Hot Glue Gun

If you like the idea of versatility in your crafting tools, then this glue gun is going to fit into your crafting supplies perfectly.  Look at these great features:

Pros

• Heats to highest temperatures in 1 to 3 minutes
• Designed to prevent overheating
• Designed with finger protecting guard
• Designed with a stand
• 150 Watts of power
• Designed with an easy squeeze trigger
• Designed to heat to five different temperatures
• Ergonomic design
• Designed to be drip-free
• Includes 6 different nozzles
• Includes an LED light indicator when it has heated 

Cons

• Will damage delicate materials

The Best Full-Size Hot Glue Gun: PROkleber Hot Melt Glue Gun Kit

If you’re simply in the market for a full-size glue gun that will work on multiple types of projects, then you need this product.

Pros

• Designed with a stand
• Includes an on/off switch
• 100 Watts of power
• Heats to highest temperatures in 2 to 3 minutes
• Ergonomically designed
• Includes a storage bag
• Includes glue sticks
• Designed with a large trigger

Cons

• None

The Best High-Temperature Hot Glue Gun: Anyyion 200W Industrial Glue Gun

If you need a glue gun that really brings the heat, then look no further than this product.

Pros

• 200 Watts of power
• Heats to highest temperatures in 3 to 10 minutes
• Heats up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit
• 100% Customer Satisfaction Service Guarantee
• Includes a storage case
• Includes an LED light indicator when it has heated to its highest temperature
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Designed with a stand
• Designed with an on/off switch

Cons

• None

The Best Low-Temperature Hot Glue Gun: AdTech Ultra Low-Temp Cool Tool

If you don’t need extreme temperatures for your crafting glue gun, then consider purchasing this product.

Pros

• Great for kids
• Lightweight
• Designed with a stand
• Heats to 75 degrees cooler than other low-temperature glue guns
• Includes glue sticks
• Includes a sleeved tip

Cons

• None

The Best Mini Hot Glue Gun: NEX & CO Kids Mini Hot Glue Gun

If you have decided that a mini hot glue gun is just what you need, then this is the product for you.  It is a great crafting tool to use with kids and on Pinterest worthy projects.

Pros

• Includes an on/off switch
• Low temperature
• Designed with a stand
• Includes an LED light indicator when it has heated to its highest temperature
• Can be ordered with a pack of 7mm glue sticks

Cons

• Requires an electric outlet
• Does not include a sleeved tip
• 10 Watts of power

FAQs

In Conclusion

Every crafter will face a time in their crafting journey where they must decide what the best crafting material is to complete their project.  This material could be anything from a painting canvas to a knitting needle and anything beyond or between. It can be an overwhelming process to figure out what to purchase and why it is the best item or brand to spend time and money on, especially when we know that crafting is all about creativity and cathartic processes.

This is where Craft and Stitch comes in.  Our site is here to help crafters find what they need quickly and easily so they save time and money.  With our handy “ How to Find” guides, crafting frustration is reduced and even eliminated.

My hope is that this guide has assisted you as you search for the best Hot Glue Gun for crafting philosophy and preferences.  I look forward to finding many wonderful projects to utilize the Boswell Hot Glue Gun.  With the right glue gun in hand, I feel as though anything is possible.

Research Citations

• The Spruce Crafts
• Bob Vila
• Gadgets-reviews
• Clumsy Crafter
• Fave Crafts
• Bond Tech Industries

Read more glue related articles here:

• How to Find the Best Glue for Felt
• The Best Fabric Glue: Top Guide 2021
• Top Guide to the Best Crafting Materials