Whilst you can often make do without one, a good quality glue gun can save so much time by providing safe and simple adhesion without all the faff of ugly-looking tape. We'd definitely recommend picking one up if you've got even a passing interest in physical, creative projects at home.
Glue guns can really help you create projects that will last by bonding materials quickly. In addition to this, glue guns can be especially easy to use in those harder to reach areas. Fast heating time with a strong and lasting adhesive - what's not to love?!
Best Glue Guns At A Glance:
Best overall: Bosch Home and Garden Glue Gun - View on Screwfix
Best for portability: BEEWAY Hot Glue Gun with Carrying Case - View on Amazon UK
Best for durability: Stanley Heavy-Duty Glue Gun - View on Amazon UK
Best for versatility: Dremel Dual Temp Glue Gun - View on Amazon UK
No matter which style of construction you prefer, be it woodworking or arts and crafts, we've searched the web to find the best glue gun for you. If you're ready to invest in one of these handy tools, then simply read on below to find out which brands we recommend!
Best Overall
www.screwfix.com
This offering from Bosch is incredibly versatile, functional for all crafting projects. With an extra-long nozzle, it can really get into those tough spots, which we love.
Our Thoughts: It's durable and safe, thanks to the shielding on the nozzle, and the trigger is nice and sensitive for peak control over the application of the glue. It only comes with one glue stick as standard though, so be sure to stock up from another listing!
Pros
- Bosch is a trustworthy brand with a great reputation
- Good length on the power cord
Cons
- Doesn't include many glue sticks
Best for portability
Perfect for crafters on the go, this glue gun from Beeway is compact and easy to store in the included carrying case. It even comes with a whopping 50 glue sticks included!
Our Thoughts: The built-in fuse makes this one safe and easy to use, and the wire stand can keep the glue gun stable between uses, although it isn't the most durable. We love the minimalist look of this one! Brilliant stuff.
Pros
- Quick to heat up
- Super simple to use
Cons
- The stand isn't super sturdy
Best for durability
Not only is this choice from Stanley super hard-wearing, but it's also great value for money. You can upgrade your order to include some glue sticks too, which is really convenient.
Our Thoughts: The Dual-Melt functionality makes this one really versatile, as it can be used for both high and low temperature projects. Of course, you should vary the glue sticks you use depending on which setting you need!
Pros
- Sturdy plastic stand
- Excellent price point
Cons
- Only designed for Stanley's own specific glue sticks, not generic versions
Best for versatility
We love how many glue sticks of various colours you get with this one! It can handle both low and high-temperature projects and we bet you'll get plenty of use out of it around the home.
Our Thoughts: We really appreciate the angled base on this one, which helps it stand on its own with some great stability. The plastic stand is nice and reliable too - fabulous!
Pros
- Lightweight and really easy to use
- Small nozzle is lovely and precise
Cons
- Fairly small design
Best for beginners
This minimalist pink design looks so cute! It comes with a beautiful set of 60 colourful glue sticks, with plenty of shiny glitter and 12 different colours - we love it!
Our Thoughts: It has a flexible kickstand and the small size makes this one perfect for introducing younger folks to the world of glue guns - with supervision, obviously.
Pros
- Durable, high-quality plastic
- Can be used on a whole range of materials
Cons
- Quite small, so those with larger hands may struggle with it
What materials can I use a glue gun on?
You can use a glue gun on a whole range of materials! Most commonly, they're used on wood, cardboard, paper, cotton or brick, but they can also function well on shell, ceramic, marble, metal or even lace! It's a super versatile tool that will do a great job with any crafts or DIY projects you feel like attempting.
Is buying a glue gun worth it?
Glue guns are a great tool for all sorts of craft projects – from paper crafts like card making and decoupage, to working with plastic and vinyl. They're even suitable for some small household repairs, making them a great purchase.
What is the difference between a glue gun and a hot glue gun?
Hot melt glue guns are handheld and disperse hot melt adhesives at a high temperature. Typically, cold glue guns use a lower temperature to distribute industrial glue evenly. The difference lies in the temperature when it comes to glue guns!
Are cordless glue guns worth it?
Cordless glue guns provide users the freedom to move around the workspace and eliminate the requirement for a glue gun to be plugged into an electrical outlet at all times.
Is 40w glue gun better than 100w?
100 watt gun will heat the rods faster and will consume more power, 40 watt will be slower heating and will take time to melt rods.
Caitlin Evans is a Content Optimisation Executive with a passion for finding the best products on the market. She specialises in identifying features that make a product stand out from the rest that will help people make informed buying decisions.