12 Best Heat Guns (Review) In 2021

Ever since he was a child, Jason has loved repairing, building and creating things. Growing up, he spent all his free time carving intricate woodcraft pieces that soon caught the eye of neighbours and friends. Before he knew it, Jason turned his hobby into a job, earning an income from being his hometowns handyman. Many years have passed since then but Jason’s enthusiasm for woodwork remains the same. He can usually be found in his workshop, crafting furniture or restoring old treasures.
- The Best Heat Gun
- 1. Wagner Spraytech Heat Gun
- 2. SEEKONE Heavy Duty Heat Gun Kit
- 3. Genesis 12.5 Amp Dual-Temperature Heat Gun Kit
- 4. Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun
- 5. BLACK+DECKER Dual Temperature Heat Gun
- 6. PORTER-CABLE 1500-Watt Heat Gun
- 7. PRULDE 1500W Hot Air Gun
- 8. DEWALT Heat Gun with LCD Display & Hard Case
- 9. CARTMAN Heat Gun
- 10. Tacklife Precision Control Temperature Heat Gun
- 11. Wagner FURNO 300 Heat Gun
- 12. Fujiwara Heat Gun Kit
From stripping wallpaper, drying things, stripping paint, tinting windows and even putting the heat back in your hors d'oeuvres, heat guns are widely used in a variety of households. With such possibilities, a hot air gun is an essential tool for most homeowners and DIY hobbyists. They can be regularly used by discharging high levels of heat at a very high-temperature range and with a huge array of heat guns available it's important to find the right one.
Each has a different feature and a certain mechanism that provides you with plenty of options but it all depends on your budget and what you need a heating gun for but you can be assured they don't work with a flame so are safe for many applications.
We looked at all the safety features and regulations, with some tips at the bottom of the page. Just remember to wear protective gloves and eye covers even if you're a pro.
And we also made a buying guide with the best cordless heat guns, make sure to check that one too.
The Best Heat Gun
1. Wagner Spraytech Heat Gun





Key Features
Weighs 1.5 lbs
Length 9.5″
Model: HT1000
Temp range 750 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit
Watts 1200
Let’s start with our best choice, the Wagner Spraytech Heat Gun which is pretty much a very inexpensive price compared to many others. It’s a good starter choice which isn’t too loud when in use. Even though it’s for the beginner, it does have a good look if you want to look like a pro!
We liked that it does look like an industrial tool but comes at a great price. It has an anti-corrosion nozzle which is expected to last for years. The controls are on the handle so you can control the temperature and the air flow settings quite easily. It will remove bolts and older paint well and it’s so lightweight that you can use it with one hand while using another tool in the other.
Pros
2 years warranty
Great for the workshop
Lightweight
Cons
Slows down quickly
Gets extremely hot – be safe
2. SEEKONE Heavy Duty Heat Gun Kit





Key Features
Weighs 2.05 lbs
Length 9.8″
Model: SDL-2816
Temp range 122 to 1202 degrees Fahrenheit
Dual airflow settings
This is one of the power tools that will work perfectly for the smaller jobs and the larger ones alike. The SEEKONE Heavy Duty Heat Gun Kit has a good cord length too – 1.6 meters – so whether you’re in a workshop needing rusting screws to be released, or you’re in a room in the house needing wallpaper or paint removal, it works closely with you but can be used with an extension if you feel safe doing so with the extra leads.
It’s lightweight, the handle is ergonomic and easy to use, and it comes with safety protection from heat overload. We liked the variable temperature which is controlled by the rear black dial quite easily.
Pros
Completes a variety of jobs
Four nozzles supplied
Good length power lead
Lightweight
Cons
Pricey
Pretty basic
Doesn’t heat up as quickly as promised
3. Genesis 12.5 Amp Dual-Temperature Heat Gun Kit





Key Features
Weighs 2 lbs
Length 8.75″
Model: GHG1500A
Temp 750 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (approx)
Dual temperature control
The Genesis 12.5 Amp Dual-Temperature Heat Gun Kit, you might be pleased to know, has a decent cord length so you can stretch it fairly well to reach the job in hand – it’s around 6.5 feet long. This is great for shrink wrapping, removing sticky labels or adhesives, thawing frozen pipes, and even lighting the charcoal on your barbeque. It does have a stand for safety so you can leave it on for the few seconds you need to put it down and of course when you need it to cool down.
The Genesis 12.5 Amp Dual-Temperature Heat Gun Kit comes with four nozzles – one reflector nozzle, two deflector nozzles, and one air reduction nozzle. The temperature varies between high and low with two temperature settings and the fan speed works at a variable air volume and fan speeds of 17 or 10 CFM.
Pros
Great for small projects
Inexpensive
Two easy to control temperature settings
Cons
Only use the highest setting for short periods
Performance will be affected by the room or outside temperature
Keep away from children
May prefer a cordless heat gun
4. Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun





Key Features
Weighs 0.8 lbs
Length 11.8″
Model: HG603D
Temp 750 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (approx)
Two temperature settings
If you have a two setting or variable temperature heat gun and a need to carry out things like home improvement, cell phone repair, crafting or use it as a soldering iron, then the Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun is a great option. Not the cheapest but not expensive either.
You can control smaller jobs with double heat settings and this model does seem like a reliable option. It delivers impressive power and has made it the best on our 2020 review list under our ‘best for detail work’ category. It’s an American brand and not a generic one which can often be slightly unsafe as they can be unregulated, and it has a lifetime warranty too.
Pros
Mini heat gun
Lightweight
Quiet
Adjustable heat settings
Named brand
Cons
We didn’t find any!
5. BLACK+DECKER Dual Temperature Heat Gun





Key Features
Weighs 1.63 lbs
Length 11.8″
Model: HG1300
Temp 750 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (approx)
Wattage 1350
Choosing a high-quality hot air gun isn’t the easiest task but if you are a tool geek, you’re used to using a heat gun and you might like the BLACK+DECKER Dual Temperature Heat Gun which is a small and affordable model with two different temperature control modes and works quickly on 120 volts.
This BLACK+DECKER Dual Temperature Heat Gun and it’s priced really quite well for such a well-known brand. We think the only downside is to cool it down you have to sit it on its back rather than on a supplied stand but it does work well with shrink wrap, paint stripping, and other craft and DIY jobs.
Pros
Safe heating element
Lightweight
Two heat settings
Cons
No ‘cool down’ mode
Doesn’t come with a stand
Accessories have to be purchased separately, when available
6. PORTER-CABLE 1500-Watt Heat Gun


Key Features
Weighs 1 lbs
Length 11.5″
Model: PC1500HG
Wattage 1500
The Unclutterer team doesn’t want to tell you what to buy, more give you a heads up on what’s available and the PORTER-CABLE 1500-Watt Heat Gun isn’t the cheapest but we thought it was well worth considering. The cord isn’t exactly the longest at six feet but you can consider an extension lead if you don’t have power so close to the job you need to complete.
This one does compare, in essence, to the Wagner FURNO 300 Heat Gun (no. 11 on our review list) and it does have the standard two speed settings and a nice compact design with temperature levels that mean you can carry out a wide range of tasks without worrying about how to use and control it.
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Pros
Good dual fan speeds
Easy control
Great variable temperature
Hook for storing
Cons
Pretty heavy for longer periods of use
High price range
7. PRULDE 1500W Hot Air Gun





Key Features
Weighs 2.1 lbs
Length 9.45″
Model: N2190
Dual temperature control up to 1112 degrees
Wattage 1500
From 800 degrees Fahrenheit to over 1000
As one of the most popular types of hot air guns the PRULDE 1500W Hot Air Gun runs with an electric power cord and heats to a high temperature, allowing you to dry out items, home improvements like stripping paint jobs, and carrying out other DIY and craft projects. The temperature and air flow controls are easy to use and its clever copper motor build will allow the PRULDE 1500W Hot Air Gun to heat up quickly. It’s supplied with four handy nozzles that allow you to use the heat gun for a wide range of applications. This is most certainly the Unclutterer teams’ budget pick.
Pros
Overload protection from overheating
ETL certification – the US Product Listing Mark
Heats rapidly
Built-in overload protection
Cons
Unsure on chemicals/toxins emitted (if any)
Might prefer more heavy-duty tool
8. DEWALT Heat Gun with LCD Display & Hard Case





Key Features
Weighs 2.3 lbs
Model: D26960K
Temperature range 150 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
Wattage 1550
Our premium pick for the 2020 best hot air guns is the DEWALT Heat Gun with LCD Display & Hard Case which is a good-looking, heavy-duty but remember though that this is not a cheap heat gun. We love the fact that it’s easy to control and the temperature can be adjusted by 50-degree increments using its fantastic LCD display. With its own hard-case toolbox the items supplied – and there are loads – can be neatly packed away ready for the next time you need to use it.
It’s a corded electric heat gun with the cord is a very generous ten feet so, in most cases, you will find you don’t need to add an extension lead so you’ll be able to work around large projects as well as the smaller jobs around the home or workshop.
Pros
3 year limited warranty
Amount of projects possible are plentiful
Wide range of accessories / extra nozzles
Great temperature range
Built-in stand for safe cooling and heating
Cons
Expensive
Fan speed can reduce on some units after a few uses
9. CARTMAN Heat Gun





Key Features
Weighs 1.9 lbs
Length 17″ (approx)
Model: AH001A
Dual temperature controls
Wattage 1500
From 750 degrees Fahrenheit to 1000
If you are looking for heat guns that are budget-friendly and suited to the casual DIY enthusiast, the CARTMAN Heat Gun is a pretty good choice for small to medium projects around the house or workshop. Whether you are thawing pipes or removing adhesives from surfaces, as far as budget power tools go this is a great introduction to the beginner. It has a fan speed giving six varieties of heat intensity and with a selection of four nozzles included, it’s built with compact design in mind making it pretty lightweight for using over a few hours. The only thing to make sure you are aware of is that this isn’t a particularly well-known brand like DeWalt or Wagner and the same unit is sold under different names, so, with that in mind, you aren’t gaining the benefits of an experienced more well-established brand.
Budget-friendly and suitable for a casual user, the CARTMAN Heat Gun works at quite a powerful 1500 watts and is a great lightweight option if you only need to carry out occasional projects like removing bumper stickers, peeling wallpaper, or stripping paint.
Pros
Comes with its own carry case
Lightweight
Affordable
Two temperature settings
Cons
Wouldn’t suit a professional
Not for intense usage
Generic third-party make
10. Tacklife Precision Control Temperature Heat Gun





Key Features
Weighs 2.64 lbs
Length 10.6″ (approx)
Model: QM-CNAKKO99070
Variable temperature control
Wattage 1600
From 122 degrees Fahrenheit to 1112 (approx)
As our best value choice, the Tacklife Precision Control Temperature Heat Gun is almost a professional-grade hot air gun and in our opinion is great for larger jobs as well as small occasional projects. There are two temperature control settings as well as five airflow settings and works from a pretty powerful 1700 watts with a German-designed heating element. We thought you might like that this particular model has a cooling mode which should be expected yet even the so-called best heat guns don’t have this feature! You will get scraper blades and extra nozzles for different applications, and you’ll benefit from the overload-protection feature.
Pros
High-performance motor
LCD display
Comfort grip
Cons
No carry/storage case
Power cord is only 5.9 feet long
Not as lightweight as other options
11. Wagner FURNO 300 Heat Gun





Key Features
Weighs 1.75 lbs
Length 8.75″ (approx)
Model: 503059
Dual temperature control
750 degrees Fahrenheit & 1100 degrees
The Wagner FURNO 300 Heat Gun comes from a very well known and experienced brand. With dual temperature settings of 750 degrees and 1100 degrees, it allows for carrying out gentle and small tasking projects around the home and workshop. This heat gun is a high-quality option yet it is surprisingly affordable. With unique features designed and provided by a very experienced and well-known brand, we doubt you will want to miss out on this one! You can thaw out frozen pipes carefully, remove adhesives and paint, melt plastics and even loosen rusty bolts and metal fittings easily. We like that, with most lightweight heat guns, it can be operated with one hand while using the other to concentrate on areas – and its standing feature allows you to set it down and hold (safely of course) the item you are focusing on above the heat.
Pros
Great prepping tool
Versatile
Easy and comfortable to use
Compact
Two year warranty
Suitable for the beginner
No-hands control
Cons
Not for larger projects
Would be ideal if it was supplied with a case
12. Fujiwara Heat Gun Kit




Key Features
Weighs 2.4 lbs
Length 10.6″
Model: 1500QRF-01
Dual temperature control
1500 watts
From 122 degrees fahrenheit to 1022 degrees
Last in our 2020 line up is the Fujiwara Heat Gun Kit which has a minor flaw which just needs some getting used to – the dial numbers are actually shown the opposite way they should be, so before carrying out delicate work, make sure you test the heat first as there is no digital display or any way of knowing the temperature you are working on. Apart from this, it’s a pretty hard-working and durable heat shrink gun that can be used for a number of different household tasks including DIY and crafting. It looks professional although it’s very well suited to the beginner but, as we mentioned, get used to the dial and how much heat output you get at each point before you start work or you could find yourself melting something you don’t want to!
Pros
Rapid heat-up
Lots of extra nozzles supplied
Hands-free option by standing on its rear
Cons
Need to get used to counter-clockwise OR clockwise dial
Short cord length
Features To Consider With Heat Guns
Which features should you look out for when looking at new or replacement heat guns?
We've compiled a few things to watch out for so that you manage to get the best and most suited heat guns to suit.
So do you need a heat gun for small tasks or do you need one that will help take the hard work out of medium to large projects?
Take a look before at our brief tips for researching the best heat guns to suit your needs.
Temperature Settings
For small tasks and an easy to use heat gun then dual controls are probably best. A dual or a wide temperature range and fast-heating capability will mean that you don't need to wait too long for the heat gun to get as hot as you need it.
If you are a beginner and, say, looking to remove paint then it's very easy to char the object through overheating especially if your new heat gun can heat up to around 1200 degrees.
For various reasons including safety and getting the job done properly within a good timescale, temperature control is essential.
Do remember that by having just a small temperature range you will risk overheating objects that you are working on since you don't have the choice on which temperature is set.
Air Flow Speed
Having variable air flow speed settings is ideal because they make your heat gun more versatile and gives you control over different types of projects. Some of the best heat guns will feature up to three heat settings or, even better, variable temperature control combined with a choice of up to three speeds of air flow. The one you choose will depend on how complex you truly need a heat gun to be.
Nozzle Options
Nozzles are the attachments that fit onto the front of a heat gun to help you focus heat on the object you are working on.
There are five main types of nozzles including:
- Reflector
- Reducer
- Flat
- Glass protector
- Main nozzle
It's worth researching the one you need if you are buying the gun for a specific job, hopefully, you find one that is either supplied with the nozzle you need or a selection of nozzles.
LCD Display
We love LCD displays as they give you control over what you're doing in real-time, making projects much easier to complete.
Typically a heat gun that comes with an LCD screen allows adjustment of the temperature in 50-degree increments (Fahrenheit) as well as showing you what actual temperature output is at that time.
These heat guns are great for working on precise and delicate work such as cell phones, PC circuits, and more detailed objects.
Accessories
Good accessories to look out for are, as mentioned before, different types of nozzles. The best one is a carry case that can store the heat gun and its extra parts as well as the attached cord neatly.
Safety Features
In-built protection features can mean the difference between the heat gun overheating and being rendered useless, or cutting out automatically before it does such damage.
Whilst not all heat guns have a cool down feature this is pretty important so you don't have to hang around for nearly half an hour before you can put the gun away. Instead, the cool down feature helps reduce this time to around two to three minutes then you're ready to go.
Types Of Heat Guns
Electric Heat Guns
The clue is in the name - yes, you already have an idea on how this type works! They generally run at 600 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit but some offer a much lower or much higher heat.
Gas Heat Guns
With a gas power source typically this type is smaller and ideal for small tasks. They can, of course, be pretty dangerous especially near a naked flame.
Industrial Heat Guns
Industrial heat guns are generally as the name suggests - huge and powerful for carrying out work on larger projects so that you don't find yourself holding the gun for hours just focusing on one area. They'll be powered either with gas or electricity.
Infrared Guns
These are small types of guns that will typically run from 400 degrees to about 600 so they aren't extremely hot but are obviously a bit safer than other types.
Heat Gun FAQ
Q: What can a heat gun be used for?
A heat gun can be used for:
- Paint stripping
- Automotive wrapping
- Removing adhesives
- Wallpaper removal
- Bending and molding plastics
- Thawing pipes
- Softening glue
- Molding resin
Q: How hot does a heat gun get?
Each type of heat gun is slightly different in the amount of heat they can emit, industrial heat guns being the most powerful at up to around 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Infrared guns are less powerful but ideal for smaller jobs, and safer too, and can have an output heat of around 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sources
What Is a Heat Gun? - Howstuffworks
How to Use a Heat Gun - DoItYourself