The best heat guns are immensely versatile power tools that you can use for stripping paint, removing adhesives, bending PVC and metal pipes, crafts such as embossing, and much, much more!
Since they pack quite a lot of heat, you have to make sure you choose the right one for your projects. A heavy-duty heat gun will burn your crafts to ashes, whereas a crafter will most likely die before it can thaw frozen copper pipes.
To help you in the quest of finding the best heat gun, we’ve put together this guide with the five best heat guns currently on the market. We’ve taken into account usage, temperature range, quality, and, of course, affordability and these are our top choices:
- DEWALT Heat Gun with LCD Display & Accessory Kit — Best Overall
- WAGNER Spraytech Heat Gun — Best Value
- MILWAUKEE’S Cordless Heat Gun — Most Versatile
- SEEKONE Heat Gun 1800W — Best Heavy-Duty
- Chandler Hot Air Gun— Best Mini for Crafts
DEWALT Heat Gun with LCD Display & Accessory Kit — Best Overall Heat Gun
The DeWalt D26960K is the best overall heat gun because, for a reasonable price, you get a complete set of features complemented by a 12-piece accessory kit to make the gun even more versatile.
This tool has an extremely convenient LCD display that allows you to check the current temperature and lets you adjust it in 50-degree increments for increased control and precision.
The temperature range goes from 150 °F to 1100 °F, and when the gun begins to overheat, the overload protection immediately shuts down the heating element to prevent burn up.
- LCD display of DEWALT heat gun allows user to adjust temperature within 50-degree increments
- Built-in overload protection shuts the heating element down and prevents burn up
- Built-in hang ring adds a convenient storage feature
- Cord protector keeps the cord from tearing away from the housing
- Built-in innovative kickstand support provides greater stability and prevents tip over
After testing this heat gun, we’ve found that even though this is a heavy-duty model, the tool itself gets very hot when operating at maximum temperature. So, if you plan on using the gun at full blast for prolonged periods of time, you might want to check the other heat guns we’ve reviewed. Otherwise, the gun will be constantly shutting down in the middle of your project.
Other than that, the DeWalt D26960K is a great, corded electric heat gun. A built-in cord protector prevents damage to the cord from pulling and minimizes the risk of tearing it away from the unit. Moreover, the cord is a very generous 10 ft. so you can comfortably tackle both large and smaller projects without the need for an extension cord.
This compact DeWalt unit feels incredibly lightweight at 2.3 pounds, which makes it easier to operate and transport. It also features a built-in hang ring for more convenient storage. However, you don’t need to worry about storage since the heat gun comes in a hard plastic carrying case to neatly pack it away when you’re not using it.
Without a doubt, the best feature of this heat gun is the set of accessories it comes with. Besides a couple of tools, there are seven nozzle options, including cones, fishtails, and scraping.
If you’re looking for maximum versatility and durability in a heat gun that’s going to be used often and are not afraid of investing a bit of money, then this DeWalt product is definitely one of the best options currently in the market.
Technical details:
- Power tool type: corded
- Voltage: 120 Volts
- Temperature range: 150 °F to 1,100 °F
- Air Flow Capacity: 18 Cubic Feet Per Minute
- Weight: 2.3 lbs
WAGNER Spraytech — Best Value Heat Gun
If you’re on the hunt for the best value for your money, then you might want to check out the Wagner Spraytech 0503008 HT1000. For a very moderate price, this product is ideal for the beginner or DIYer who wants to tackle some household projects.
Wagner manufactures paint application equipment, so this heat gun was designed with paint stripping applications in mind. Because of that, the Wagner Spraytech HT1000 has dual temperature settings of 750 °F and 1,000 °F, so you can select the one that best suits your project.
However, this doesn’t mean that paint stripping is not the only thing you can do with this heat gun! Thawing pipes, removing rusted bolts, loosening floor tiles, softening adhesive, and other tasks are all possible applications of this multipurpose tool.
- DUAL TEMPERATURE HEAT GUNS: The HT1000 Heat Gun offers a 750ᵒF and 1000ᵒF temperature setting to easily help complete household home improvement tasks
- HEAT GUN FOR HOUSEHOLD PROJECTS: Use this heat gun to soften paint, electrical wire shrinking, caulking, adhesive or putty for removal. Other applications include shrink wrap, bend plastic pipes, and loosen rusted nuts or bolts
- HEAT GUN ADJUSTABLE SETTINGS AND DURABILITY: The two fan speeds provide additional control to customize to your project needs. Features a corrosion resistant nozzle for long lasting use and integrated hanging hook to easily store on a peg wall or workbench
- HANDS FREE OPERATION: Features an integrated stand for safe, hands-free operation to help prevent the hot nozzle from touching your work surface
- CUSTOMER CENTRIC: Wagner has been in the business for 50+ years and puts safety first and our products are ETL Listed (tested and approved by Intertek to UL and CSA Safety Standards). Have questions? Our U.S based customer service team is happy to help!
One of the features we’ve liked the most is the hand-free operation capability afforded by the integrated stand. It also prevents the hot nozzle from touching your work area while cooling down or heating up.
In terms of performance, we’ve found no issues using the tool at the highest temperature setting, so you should have no issues using it for as long as you need. As regards durability, the corrosion-resistant nozzle and high-impact plastic body were engineered to ensure a long-lasting life.
What’s probably the coolest thing about the Wagner Spraytech HT1000 is that it’s been designed with a replaceable heating element. Since this is the part that you’re most likely to start malfunctioning in the long run, it’s quite convenient as you can simply get a new heating element rather than a new heat gun.
On the downside, you’ll find that this product doesn’t include any accessories, like different nozzles or diffusers, but if you really need them you can order them separately.
All in all, this is a solid heat gun that can be a great ally for many household tasks without frying your budget.
Technical Details:
- Power tool type: corded
- Voltage: 120 Volts
- Temperature range: dual setting; low 750 °F and high 1,000 °F setting
- Weight: 1.48 lbs
MILWAUKEE’S M18 2688-20 Cordless — Best Versatile Heat Gun
For non-non-sense people who don’t want to deal with the hassle of extension cords and choosing the right temperature, but still want a versatile heat gun, we bring you the Milwaukee 2688-20.
With only one temperature setting of 875 °F, this heat gun is perfect for paint stripping, varnish removal, and putty softening, especially if you’re working in hard-to-reach areas. With a snub-nosed design and compact size, this Milwaukee can go where no other guns can.
Moreover, we can confirm that the rapid heat-up feature has the tool ready to use in approximately 7 seconds, which is quite impressive when compared to other heat guns that typically take up to a minute to heat up. The trigger function to start the gun saves valuable power, as it ensures that the tool only consumes the battery when the trigger is activated.
- Compact design for easy use in tight spaces
- Powered by Xc 5.0 battery
- Reaches operational temperature in just 7 seconds
- Overall length: 6.4”
- Built-in LED light illuminates work area
Some fancier characteristics of this heat gun include premium build quality and a LED light for some extra help when working in dimly lit conditions.
On the downside, we find that the Milwaukee 2688-20 can be a bit expensive, especially considering it doesn’t include any additional nozzles.
However, if you’re looking for a compact heat gun that you can take anywhere, this could be a very good option for you.
Technical Details:
- Power tool type: cordless
- Voltage: 18 Volts
- Temperature range: only one setting of 875 °F
- Weight: 1.7 lbs
SEEKONE Heat Gun 1800W — Best Heavy-Duty Heat Gun
From the typical paint stripping and bolt loosening applications to electronics, cellphone repairs, floor tile removal, and more! There’s not much this heavy-duty heat gun can’t do.
With an impressive power output of 1800 W, the Seekone 1800W is a top-tier heat gun that has the highest power rating of all the units we’ve reviewed so far.
It can tackle quite a nice variety of heavy-duty tasks thanks to the wide, variable temperature range of 120 °F to 1,202 °F and dual airflow settings that can be adjusted with a control dial located on the back of the gun.
- ▶ 【Strong Power With 2 Modes】 SEEKONE 1800W heat gun provides strong power quickly heat up to 1202℉(650℃) in 1.5 seconds. Two modes: I: 50-450℃, 190-210L/min; II: 50-650℃, 250-500L/min
- ▶ 【Variable Temp Control & Overload Protection】 Unlike other dual temperature heat guns, our heat guns provide variable temperature control. The black dial provides rheostat-type heating, the high / low switch on its handle provides air flow control. Temperature range from 122℉ to 1202℉; Our heat gun also possess overload protector to avoid damaging your heat gun and circuit
- ▶ 【Scientific Ergonomic Design & Wide Applications】 Seekone heat gun has a scientific ergonomic design handle can prevent repetitive strain injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders; Ideal use for shrinking heat shrink tube, shrinking wrap, heating PVC, electronics, cell phone repairs, removing paint or floor tiles, loosening rusted bolts, and other heating or thawing purpose
- ▶ 【Four Nozzles Accessories】 Deflector nozzle directs a long, narrow heat pattern to the work surface; Two concentrator nozzles direct a concentrated heat flow to the work surface; Reflector nozzle disperses heat flow evenly around the whole work surface.
- ▶ 【100% Satisfaction Guarantee】 Full refund or return guarantee with lifetime free warranty. Anything happened about the product, please feel free to contact us at any time, we will be always here for you
Even though this product leans more on the heavier side, weighing almost 2 pounds, we’ve found that it’s still comfortable and easy to use. It has an ergonomic design and optimal weight distribution to minimize fatigue and the risk of strain injuries commonly associated with heat gun use.
This heat gun model, as most of the others we’ve reviewed so far, features a stand for hands-free operation and a hanging loop for convenient storage.
What seals the deal for the Seekone 1800W heat gun is that the affordable kit includes four nozzles for increased versatility: one deflector nozzle, two concentrator nozzles, and one reflector nozzle.
However, we should mention that we’ve found a few downsides. In reality, the gun takes a bit longer than “a few seconds”, as the manufacturer claims, to fully heat up. Also, you might want to get an extension cord if you don’t have one already because the cord on this heat gun is on the shorter side compared to some of the other products on the market.
Despite that, the incredible power of this heat gun, together with the variable temperature control, make this one of the best heavy-duty options you can find nowadays.
Technical Details:
- Power tool type: corded
- Temperature range: 120 °F to 1,202 °F
- Dual airflow setting: Low: 190L-210L/min; High: 250L-500L/mini
- Air Flow Capacity: 18 Cubic Feet Per Minute
- Weight: 1.98 lbs
Chandler Hot Air Gun — Best Mini Heat Gun for Crafts
If you need a hot gun for DIY projects and crafts, you definitely don’t need a super fancy hot gun with all the bells and whistles. The Chandler Hot Air Gun is a crafter heat gun that offers everything you might need for an affordable price.
Detailed work such as cell phone repair or crafting is this heat gun’s specialty. You can use it for embossing, shrinking, wrapping, drying, melting, soldering, image transfer, and even paint removal, among many other things.
Unlike most miniature models, this one has two different temperature and airflow settings. You can choose between a minimum temperature of 392 °F and a maximum of 572 °F, giving you a bit more versatility in your crafts.
- ▶ Variable Speed & Heat: Our heat gun has dual temperature and speed settings - low speed & heat for delicate or detail work and high speed & heat for heavy duty or high volume work. It’s like having a mini heat gun and a full size heat gun in one!
- ▶ Hobby heating gun for crafts: Small craft heat gun for resin, embossing powders, shrink wrap, vinyl wrap, decals, jewelry making, candle making, sublimation tumblers, ceramics, bubble busting, or pair it with a scorch marker for wood burning!
- ▶ Multi-purpose: This is more than just a crafting heat torch! Our dual speed variable temp heat gun with shield and wire stand is also great for shrink tubing,vinyl wrap, soldering, wire connectors, phone repair & as a paint dryer or paint scraper.
- ▶ Insulated - Ergonomic - Light Weight - Quiet: Cheap mini heat guns get too hot to hold. Cordless wireless large gun-style heat guns are too heavy for extended projects. Our pink heat gun for resin is compact, light weight & low-noise.
- ▶ Proud Global Company - Launched in a small LA loft, our team members and products now span the globe. Our tools are high quality and UL certified. If for any reason you're dissatisfied, contact our customer care team and we'll make things right!
Another reason why we’ve chosen the Chandler Hot Air Gun as the best mini heat gun is because it offers the perfect balance of quality and compact size, keeping the tool lightweight for reduced fatigue no matter how many hours you’re working with it.
You can easily operate this crafter in any of these three positions: palm, pencil, and hands-free. If you choose the last option, rest assured that the stand included it’s very stable and holds the tool at an optimal angle.
The Chandler Hot Air Gun is affordable, versatile, and easy, and comfortable to use. What more is there to ask for?
Technical Details:
- Power tool type: corded
- Voltage: 120 Volts
- Temperature range: dual setting; low 392 °F and high 572 °F setting
- Weight: 13.1 ounces
Best Heat Gun Buyer’s Guide
Buying a new power tool is always an investment. To make sure you’re getting exactly what you need without wasting any money in the process, here are a few features to take into account:
Wattage
Wattage can range from 1,000 to 2,000 W, and it refers to the power of the heat gun. The higher the wattage, the more effective the gun is, and the hotter it can go.
Lowe wattage is best suited for most household projects, whereas heavy-duty tasks require at least 1800 W.
Variable temperature setting
Selecting the temperature of a heat gun between the minimum and maximum settings can be very useful when you need to use the gun for a variety of projects.
Most simple household jobs require a temperature ranging from about 392 °F to 752 °F, while for heavy-duty projects you’d need a more versatile heat gun with a wider range between 120 °F and 1,100 °F, approximately.
Airflow setting or fan speed:
Fan speed determines how much surface area the heat of the gun will cover. Most heat guns have a dual-fan setting, with a minimum speed for precise projects and a maximum speed for better heat distribution across the surface.
Thermal cut out
This is a very important safety feature that automatically switches the tool off when it starts overheating to avoid any damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are heat guns used for?
Heat guns are commonly used for stripping paint and welding plastics, but they actually have multiple applications.
Depending on the type of heat gun and the temperature range it offers, you can use a heat gun for almost anything: crafty jobs, repair work, softening and removing adhesives, crayon marks on your walls, and melted wax stains, thawing pipes, and your freezer, bending PVC and metal pipes, shrinking plastic tubing, drying paint and damp wood, loosening old, rusted bolts and screws, and damaged vinyl tiles, lifting old or damaged flooring, and many more tasks!
Are heat guns dangerous?
Heat guns can indeed be dangerous for two reasons. The first one is that they pose an ignition hazard as they can reach very high temperatures. Be careful of selecting the right temperature for the job at hand. For example, if you’re removing old wallpaper, using a high setting can set it on fire.
The second reason why heat guns can be dangerous is that most models are prone to overheat, which may burn the user. To avoid this, try to get a heat gun with safety features like a thermal cut out that automatically turns off the tool when it starts overheating
How hot can a heat gun get?
Most heat guns can generate temperatures of 1,100 °F, and some models can go even hotter.
Can I replace the heating element myself?
It will depend on which heat gun you have. Some models, like the Wagner Spraytech HT1000, allow for the heating element to be replaced by the user. However, you should always read the heat gun’s model first, as sometimes only the manufacturer can handle this repair.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many great options you can choose from according to your needs. Whether it’s home improvement or crafts, you’re sure to find one that’s suitable for you in this guide.
Just remember that you have to keep in mind wattage, temperature and airflow settings, and safety features when shopping for a new heat gun, so you don’t waste your money on something that won’t work for you.
