Do you like the smell of melting plastic in the morning? No? We don’t either, but a heat gun is still a very useful tool to have around the house. This device puts out a directed stream of hot air that can be used for various purposes such as stripping paint, thawing frozen pipes, or bending plastic. No matter if you are a DIYer, contractor, or handyman, it makes a lot of sense to make sure that you have the best heat gun in your toolbox.
We have gone through over 20 models and selected only 6 best of the best. Our favourite is SEEKONE Heat Gun 1800W. First of all, we considered motor power as it will determine the amount of heat output. Most of our models have 1,500W and some even 1,800W which is more than enough even for difficult tasks. The next feature to consider is the temperature range. You want a model that can reach high temperatures but also has a low setting for delicate tasks. Most of our models have a wide temperature range from 122°F to 1,000°F, which makes them versatile. Another important feature is the airflow. It is measured in CFM and determines the speed of the hot air stream. The higher the CFM, the faster the job will be done. So it is better to choose a model with at least 6 CFM.
Other features: four nozzles accessories included
SEEKONE Heat Gun is the Editor’s Choice on our list. Adjusting the temperature with a dial on the back of this model is super easy. While this is not as accurate as some other heat guns, with a bit of practice, this system can be used quite effectively. You can choose between two different airflow speeds with a simple-to-use high/low switch.
The SEEKONE Heat Gun has an impressively large temperature range, as it can be used from a super low 120 degrees to an impressive 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. This versatility makes it easy to complete a variety of work, no matter what temperature you are going to use.
Since the heat level is so high, it is good to see that the heat gun has a built-in overload protection system. This failsafe system helps make sure that you can keep the gun from sustaining damage to the heating mechanism and the circuitry inside the tool.
This gun also comes with four different nozzles. These nozzles make this heat gun even more versatile, as they will allow you to complete specific jobs with more precision. Unfortunately, they can be a bit tricky to get to stay on, so if you choose to use them, you really need to make sure that you get them on right, or they won’t work for you. With this heat gun, you will get a deflector, reflector, and concentrator nozzles.
This is one of, if not the best, heat guns for removing paint from a variety of surfaces. It has a high-end temperature range, with its lowest heat threshold of 750°F more than enough to get most paints and finishes bubbling. Of course, it can also crank up the heat even more and tops out at 1000°F. This extremely high temperature is all you need to remove even the toughest stuck on paint, even if there are several layers on top of each other.
The ProTect heat gun also comes with a wide assortment of attachments and accessories that help make several different jobs, including paint removal. The attachment that stands out the most for removing paint is the scrape nozzle. This amazing attachment funnels the heat right onto the painted surface and allows you to use your heat gun as a scraper at the same time, which is highly convenient.
Something that isn’t all that convenient for this model is the cord length. It is extremely short, as it isn’t even one foot in length. If you intend to use this tool effectively, you will have to do so with an extension cord. Otherwise, there is no way that you could ever really reach anything that you are trying to heat up. While this is certainly not a deal breaker, it is a bit of a pain to have to drag an extension cord with you everywhere you want to use this heat gun.
Other features: features a built-in stand
The beautiful thing about this heat gun from Black and Decker is how compact it is in its design. It is extremely lightweight and is much smaller than many other heat guns. This makes it the ideal choice for packing up and taking with you as you work. If you are someone who needs a heat gun on the go, then this is the right choice for you.
This heat gun is also one of the simplest and most straightforward that you can buy. It only has one airflow option, which helps to make it easier to use but will also limit its effectiveness on certain jobs. The model only has two different heat settings – you can either set it to 750°F or 1000°F. This simple dual choice makes it quicker to get up and running, but, again, will limit what you can accomplish with the tool.
Something else that helps with the portability of this tool is its extremely long cord – it is a full six feet in length. This makes it easy to reach all around a room or workshop without having to unplug it or use an extension cord, which really speeds up the process.
Another nice feature of this heat gun is the little kickstand on the handle. This has a dual purpose. If you need to heat the same area for a long period, you can set up the gun with its stand for continuous heating. It is also a safety feature. It allows you to set the gun down to cool off without risking the gun being against something while it is still hot.
Other features: includes: 2 deflector nozzles, one reflector nozzle, and one air reduction nozzle
Let’s say you are looking for a quality heat gun, but you don’t want to spend a fortune. If this sounds like you, then you might want to check out this heat gun from Genesis. Its price is amazing, especially when you consider the fact that it comes with several different attachments and nozzles that are usually relegated to much more expensive models. These nozzles help to increase the effectiveness of the tool quite a bit, which only increases the value of this tool.
The motor on this tool is pretty powerful. It helps to get the heat gun up and running quickly. As you would expect from a cheaper model, this tool does not have a wide variety of airflow settings or temperature ranges. The airflow speed for this gun can only go up to 17 CFM, which is relatively low when compared to other models. It is still enough to get the job done for lighter projects, but might not be enough for tougher jobs.
The two heat levels that you can choose from are good for a variety of jobs. The higher heat level is especially impressive, and at 1500°F, is one of the highest you can find. With that heat level, you could easily strip paint or loosen any rusty bolts that you might need to. This gun has an integrated kickstand as well, so if you need to heat something for an extended period, you can do so hands-free.
Other features: rubber-backed base allowing stable 90-degree rotation
If you have a job that is going to require an extended period of heating, then this is the heat gun for you. The nozzle can be rotated up to 90 degrees, which will allow you to get the heat wherever you need it. It has a rubber-backed base that allows to set the gun down without having to worry about it falling over. This makes it perfect for long-term heating projects, such as plastic welding or loosening rusty bolts.
You can also rest assured that this gun won’t go anywhere on you once you set it down due to its high weight. It is one of the heaviest heat guns on the market, which makes it perfect for stationary heating. Of course, that also means that it isn’t all that portable, even though it does have a long cord.
This heat gun has one of the largest airflow ranges on the market. It can go all the way up to 23 CFM. This, when coupled with its high heat ranges, makes it a great choice for any tough job.
You also don’t have to worry about this product overheating on you. It has a large intake fan on the side that not only takes in air to be heated but also works to keep the tool from overheating. Since it operates at such high temperatures and has a powerful motor, this overheating protection is a great safety feature to have.
Other features: built-in overheat protection device; LCD display shows the specific temperature and wind speed
This model has some great features that are just tough for the competition to keep up with. For instance, the LCD display is one of the easiest to read of all the different models we’ve checked out. It tells the temperature and the airspeed that you have the gun set to, which removes a lot of the guesswork from your projects.
While this gun is a bit on the heavy side, it also has an extremely wide range for both its temperature and airflow. With this gun, you are quickly and easily able to set the temperature all the way from a low 120 degrees, up to a ridiculously high 1200 degrees. This makes it a perfect tool for pretty much any job.
The airflow range is pretty nice, too. This large range will allow you to carefully control the amount of heat you are blowing out, helping you make sure that you don’t overheat anything.
The motor is not too powerful, but it isn’t weak either. While you might have to wait a bit longer for this gun to get going than with other models, you will also not have to worry about it overheating while you work. Add in the fact that this device comes with an automatic power switch, and you can easily see why this is one of the best heat guns on the market.
In this section, we’ve collected everything that you need to know to find the best heat gun for whatever kind of project you have in mind.
Heat guns can be used for a great variety of jobs. These versatile devices emit a stream of hot air that can range from lower level temperatures of 200°F to much higher temperatures of 1000°F and more. The nice thing about these tools is that they can still be safely used by hand, even at these high temperatures. This makes them ideal for lots of different jobs, which include thawing frozen pipes, loosening rusty bolts, paint stripping, or softening adhesives.
The motor of a heat gun has two important responsibilities. Its first job is to create the amount of heat necessary for whatever project you have in mind. The more powerful the motor, the quicker these high temps can be achieved. With a more powerful motor, you will also be able to reach higher temperatures.
The second function of the motor is to control the airflow. With a more powerful motor, you will be able to have a much higher airflow rate than you would with a weaker motor.
The only drawback to having a powerful motor is that it could cause the device to overheat relatively quickly. When you are searching for a heat gun, you need to be sure to get one that has an overflow or overheating control system. This will help to increase the longevity of the tool and keep you safer while you are using it.
Depending on the job that you intend to accomplish, you are going to need a variety of temperatures. For instance, you need a much lower temperature to dry paint (86-300°F) than you would if you were stripping paint (900-1000°F).
The temperature control gauge should be easy to read and manipulate. If you can, look for a model with a digital temperature readout, like the URBEST UR-3000. These digital displays make it quick and simple to get your tool up to the temperature you require without a ton of guesswork.
There are a couple of different ways that you can control the airflow. Some of the more advanced models have a simple control to adjust that will speed up or slow down your tool based on your needs. If you need even more control over the airflow rate, however, you need to look to the nozzle.
Every heat gun comes with a standard nozzle attached. While this nozzle is pretty good for a wide variety of jobs, it might not work for some projects. Luckily, there are lots of other nozzles available to help you get the right amount of airflow.
While different nozzles can be used to increase or reduce the amount of airflow that your heat gun will put out, that is not all that they do. These accessories can also be used for a variety of specialized jobs, such as:
Having the right nozzle for the job is essential, as it will help to cut down the amount of time and effort that you need to put in to get the job done. Make sure that you have the right nozzle for your job before you get started, or you’ll end up wasting a ton of time.
The cable length and the overall tool weight are up to your personal preference and budget. If you are only going to be using the tool sparingly, then you can probably save yourself a bit of money and go for a lighter weight model with a shorter cord.
Of course, if you need a powerful motor for a lot of different jobs, then get a heat gun that weighs a bit more. It would also make sense, in this case, to get one with a longer cord as well. That way, you won’t need to plug, unplug, and replug all the time while you are completing your project.
As with pretty much any tool that you buy, you want to be sure that you get a good warranty. That way, you will be able to get any of the moving parts replaced should they fail. The last thing that you need is to have a piece of your brand new tool fail and not be able to replace it because you didn’t get a good warranty. Luckily, all of the heat guns on our list above are backed by a 25-year warranty, which should give you peace of mind.
While heat guns might not look all that dangerous, they most certainly are if you are not careful when using them. They are, after all, putting out a ton of heat at any given time. This is why it is important to find a model that has some safety features built in.
The safest heat guns will have extra-thick grips, which not only make it less likely that you will accidentally drop the tool but also insulate your hands from the heat source. It is also a good idea to find a heat gun that has an automatic off switch. That way, if you do accidentally drop it, it will turn off right away, which should help eliminate the risk of a burn.
Once the surface is clean, you just need to heat up your heat gun and then slowly move it up and down over the surface you want to strip. Once the paint begins to bubble and melt, you can start scraping the paint. If the paint is properly heated, it should peel off quickly and easily.
Before you use your heat gun, you should remove all flammable materials from anywhere nearby. After all, these guns are capable of putting out over 1,000 degrees, which could easily burn up anything that can catch on fire.
As you can see, most jobs do not require extremely high temperatures. The ideal temperature required for this or that job eventually depends on the material type and its overall condition.
If you truly want to make sure that you have the best heat gun on the market, then you need to go out and get the SEEKONE Heat Gun. It is easy to adjust and comes with a variety of nozzles, which help to control the airflow with precision and accuracy.
One of the biggest tasks for most heat guns is helping to remove paint. The CARTMAN ProTect 1500W heat gun is your perfect companion in this case. In fact, even if you have up to four layers of paint to remove, this gun can get the job done thanks to its high heat threshold.
If you are looking for a gun that won’t take much place in your home, then the BLACK+DECKER HG1300 should be your choice. It’s a nice tool for beginners – it has one airflow speed and dual temperature of 750°F and 1000°F, which makes it ideal for basic house chores.
