Heat guns are required to complete a variety of jobs, including home improvement projects, crafts, and more. In fact, you’d be surprised at how often a heat gun can come in handy.
Fortunately, heat guns come in a wide range of prices and specifications. To make your shopping experience a bit easier, we gathered our absolute favorite Heat guns.
Best Heat Guns Reviews
PROS:
- Ergonomic handle grip and lightweight design
- Dual airflow settings
- Rear temperature dial for added versatility
- Heats within seconds
- Overload protection
CONS:
- Takes longer than promised to reach high temperatures
Seekone is known for its affordable well-made heat guns. The 1,800-watt heavy-duty model provides quick power bursts of heat. It takes just a few minutes for the heat gun to reach a high temperature of 1,202 degrees Fahrenheit.
It also comes with four different nozzle accessories, including a deflector nozzle, two concentrator nozzles, and a reflector nozzle. These give users the flexibility to control the pattern of the heat dispersed depending on the job at hand.
The price seems low considering the number of extra nozzles. Not to mention, at 1,800 watts of power, we thought this gun offered a generous amount of power.
Meanwhile, the Seekone has an ergonomic handle that makes strenuous jobs far more comfortable. In fact, the handle is proven to reduce strain-related injuries. What’s more, it barely weighs 2 pounds. Therefore, it is easy to manipulate in tight spaces.
The Seekone heat gun can be used to heat shrink tubing, PVC, electronic components, vinyl wrap, and more. It can also be used for home repair projects, such as removing paint or floor tiles. You might even consider using it to thaw frozen pipes or loosen rusted bolts.
Overall, we felt that the Seekone heat gun was best suited for home use. While it offered a wide range of temperature settings and was easy to handle, it didn’t seem to be durable enough to withstand heavy professional use.
PROS:
- Comes with four accessory nozzle attachments
- Dual temperature settings
- Overload protection
- Can be used for a variety of tasks
CONS:
- No cooling stand
The Seekone Industrial heat gun is best suited for professional contractors. It offers 1,800 watts of continuous power and can go from 122 to 1,202 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of seconds.
It is capable of removing rusted bolts, shrinking PVC, stripping paint, and more. In fact, it is one of the more versatile heat guns on the market.
The Seekone’s heating element is paired with an integrated air booster for faster, stronger hot air. It is even wrapped in a sheet of insulating mica for added efficiency. What’s more, the Seekone comes with four nozzle accessories for completing a wide variety of jobs.
While the Seekone industrial model is extremely powerful, it does not produce a lot of noise. As such, we found it to be one of the more tolerable models to use for long periods of time.
3. SEEKONE Heat Gun Industrial Hot Air Gun Kit 1800w 50℃~650℃ (122℉~1202℉) – Most Budget-friendly LCD Heat Gun
PROS:
- A wide temperature adjustment range
- The LCD screen for easy temperature readings
- High/Low On/Off switch
- Includes four specialty nozzles
CONS:
- Expensive
- Readings aren’t always accurate
The Seekone 1,800-watt heat gun with an LCD screen gives users more precise control over temperature output. While this tool holds to the same high standards of Seekone tools, it offers an LCD temperature control screen for more reliable readings.
The Seekone gun has a comfortable handle with slip-resistant grips. As such, it is well-suited for long jobs and professional applications. It even comes with a lifetime guarantee and money-back promise.
Overall, we loved having the ability to read our temperature on the digital screen. The rear button adjustments were easy to use too. We had no trouble adjusting the temperatures nor the air flow. We also utilized the on-off switch for selecting between standard low (120-degree Fahrenheit) and high (1,200-degree Fahrenheit) increments.
Still, we found ourselves questioning the steep price increase. In the end, we are not sure if the convenience of the LCD screen was worth an additional $20. However, the heat gun was easy and enjoyable to use.
4. REXBETI Dual Temperature Heat Gun with 7 Multi-purpose Attachments, Max Temperature up to 1210°F – Best Heat Gun Attachment Bundle
PROS:
- 6-foot extension cord
- 7 nozzle accessories
- Extremely versatile temperature settings
- 1,500 watts of power
- Budget-friendly
CONS:
- Some customers have reported experiencing premature shutoffs
We were instantly drawn to the rugged-looking Rexbeti Dual-temperature heat gun. This gun comes with a whopping seven different accessory nozzles for varying purposes. Not mention, it can reach temperatures as high as 1,210 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Rexbeti heat gun boasts powerful turbofans for even stronger, faster heat. Not to mention, it has overload protection to keep that circuit frying under pressure. In fact, it takes a mere 5 seconds for the Rexbeti to regain its composure.
With a record number of nozzle attachments, you can use the Rexbeti to shrink wrapping, heat PVC, solder wires, or even light your barbeque pit.
While we found this heat gun to a bit heavier than others, its long cord made up for it. Overall, we’re happy to give this gun two thumbs up.
5. REXBETI Variable Temperature Heat Gun with 9 Attachments, Max Temperature up to 1210°F – Best Home Improvement Heat Gun
PROS:
- Low and high variable speed settings
- Temperature control that ranges from 140 to 932 degrees Fahrenheit
- Powerful turbofans
- Overload protection
- 9 nozzle accessories
CONS:
- Speed settings are not always accurate
If you’re a fan of Rexbeti tools, you can’t miss their nine attachment heat gun. This gun boasts a max temperature of 1,210 degrees Fahrenheit and has three different air flow controls.
As such, this gun heats within just a few seconds. It also has integrated overload protection. Not to mention, it is made from temperature-resistant ABS plastic.
It’s also one of the easiest heat guns to hold thanks to its soft rubber grip. On the downside, it is a bit heavier than many of the other heat guns we tested.
PROS:
- 1 year of free replacement parts
- Two accessory nozzles
- 10-foot power cord
- Variable temperatures
CONS:
- Expensive
Dewalt is a mainstay in the American tool world. Their D26950 heat gun is yet another well-made and durable tool. We love that the Dewalt has a variable temperature control settings. It can go from 120 to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
It also has built-in overload protection that prevents the heating element from burning up. What’s more, it is covered by a 3-year limited warranty and a 1-year service contract. As such, Dewalt will replace any worn or broken parts.
Keep in mind that the heat gun is lightweight and has an extremely long extension cord. As such, it is one of the easiest heat guns to handle. We would have liked it if it had a slip-resistant grip pad. Still, we appreciate that it has a small hook for hanging and cooling.
Overall, this is one of the more expensive heat guns that we chose to feature. Nevertheless, it is made by a reputable tool company and comes with an unbeatable service contract.
PROS:
- 12 bonus accessories included in the set
- Protective hard-shell carrying base
- An LCD screen and adjustable temperature settings
- Versatile usage options
- Heat-resistant shell
CONS:
- Slow to heat
- Heat is not powerful
Dewalt’s D26960K is an incredibly durable heat gun with an easy to read LCD screen. It also boasts variable heat settings that allow users to opt between precise 50-degree heat settings.
The Dewalt comes with 12 accessories, including 10 specialty heat nozzles. As such, this is one of the most versatile guns on the market. Whether you need to remove old paint or seal heat tubing, this heat gun is well-suited for the job.
We also love that it comes in a protective case that has slots for all the bonus accessories. It makes it far easier to stay organized.
PROS:
- A number of nozzles, welding tools, and shrink wraps
- Hardshell aluminum storage case
- A heating element is enclosed in ceramic
- 25th-anniversary kit
CONS:
- Frail cord
- Expensive
The Steinel’s 25th Anniversary Heat Gun Kit pulls out all the punches. First off, we love the heavy-duty aluminum hardshell carrying case. It’s super pleasing and easy to tell apart from other toolkits. Not to mention, the tight clasps ensure that it says closed when not in use.
We also appreciate the Steinel’s steady flow of air. Not to mention, it offers variable high and low-temperature settings that range from 120 to 1,150 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, it is clear that this heat gun is designed to multitask.
You also have a tremendous amount of control over the temperature. In fact, you can toggle it up and down in precise 10-degree increments. The heating coil in the Steinel is also extremely powerful and has a ceramic coating for extended life.
Overall, we felt that the Steinel heat gun kit was well worth its price.
PROS:
- Inexpensive
- Long, flexible cord
- 1,500 watts of power
- Variable heat settings
CONS:
- Cools down when overworked
- No accessory nozzles included
Rounding out our list is the Porter-Cable heat gun. This powerful tool is extremely affordable and perfect for D.I.Y. projects. Porter-Cable is also a well-known and trusted tool company, which gives this last choice a bit of a boost.
It has a powerful 1,500-watt motor as well as dual fan speeds for more precise and powerful airflow. It also has a temperature control dial that lets you find the exact setting for the job you have in mind.
We love that this gun barely weighs a pound. Not to mention, it has a small handle you can easily wrap your hand around. Overall, we found it to be well made and reliable.
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve taken a look at our top nine favorite heat guns, you’re probably wondering how to choose one for yourself. Read along to learn more about what to look for when choosing a heat gun.
What to Look for In a Heat Gun
Begin your search by asking yourself what you plan to use your heat gun for. If your heat gun will serve to make intermittent home improvement and craft jobs a bit easier, we recommend you opt for one of the basic budget models listed above. If you need a heat gun to finish an expensive repair job, you may want to opt for a higher-end model that boasts more power.
You also want to consider which types of nozzles you will need. Spoon, fishtail, reflector, reduction, and deflector nozzles are just a few of the specialty attachments needed to get specific jobs done. If you’re planning on removing paint or tile, you may also need putty knives and scrapers. Oftentimes, these accessories are packaged with heat guns, giving you a significant price break.
Types fo Heat Guns
Keep in mind that there are both electric and gas-powered heat guns on the market. Still, we choose to focus on the electric ones because of their availability and popularity. When looking at electric heat guns, it is important to focus on the wattage as well as the temperature variables. Most guns can produce well over 1,000 degrees of heat, so it is important that you have control over how much you use.
There are also differences between standard and industrial heat guns. Industrial heat guns tend to offer more power and be more resilient. They have a more durable casing or a longer extension cord for added flexibility. If you plan on using your heat gun for professional applications, an industrial model is a no-brainer.
Parts of a Heat Gun
Fans – Heat guns are used to create and disperse heat. Most of the heat guns we reviewed had at least dual airflow controls, meaning the fans were capable of spinning at different speeds. More airflow translates to more heat. However, having the ability to slow down the fan allows you to work with temperamental materials without accidentally melting or burning them.
Nozzles – Nozzles help articulately apply heat for specific jobs. The following nozzles are fairly common and often included with heat guns:
Reflector nozzles – These are used to solder pipes.
Fishtail Nozzles – These are used to apply a large amount of heat, such as to thaw pipes.
Reduction Nozzle – Used to heat a precise section of the job site or bend PVC
Scraper – Used to remove paint or tiles
Safety Precautions – All of the heat guns on our list can reach temperatures above 1,00 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, it is important to familiarize yourself with proper safety protocols before giving these guns a go.
These include but are not limited to utilizing safe handling maneuvers, attaching novels before powering up, and opting for a gun with an automatic turn-off. What’s more, these tools should be kept away from small children, pets, and flammable objects.
Final Thoughts
Heat guns come in handy more than you might expect. With the right heat gun, you can utilize precise heat, air flow, and accessories to get a job done faster and more accurately.
Whether you have D.I.Y. tendencies or are a professional contractor, a heat gun is a toolkit must. We hope we were able to help you find what you were looking for on your list or else have provided you with the know-how to make a selection on your own.
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