What Is Caulking Guns? /Best Caulking Guns or Caulk or less frequently caulking is a material used to seal joints or seams against leakage in various structures and piping. The oldest form of caulk consisted of fibrous materials driven into the wedge-shaped seams between boards on wooden boats or ships. Cast iron sewerage pipe was formerly caulked in a similar way. Riveted seams in ships and boilers were formerly sealed by hammering the metal.[rx]
Many people have a hard time choosing caulking guns. This is in spite of their presence in the market for many decades. Unlike the earlier days when you had limited choices, nowadays, you have a wide array of options. You may settle for the manually operated piece, the electric type, or the pneumatic one. Whichever your preference, it’s paramount you go for the best. But, which is the best? To answer this question, it was important we go to the market and take a deeper look at the available products. To do this, it was essential to center on the critical features. These include the size, material, pressure ratio, design, capacity, consecution quality, ergonomics, durability, price, built-in tools, and dripless, portability, weight, and versatility. To guide you in choosing the right item we reviewed the best caulking guns in 2020.
List Of Best Caulking Guns
AMSTON Professional Caulking Gun For DIY, Home Improvement, Contractors
We begin with this piece from the Amston tool Company. The reasons why we consider this one as one of the best caulking guns because, first thing, we like about it is the solid feel, and we believe that this is due to the sturdy steel materials and good engineering. The unit also feels nice in the hands’ thanks to the excellent ergonomics. You can use it for an extended period, and your hands and fingers will not feel too tired.
It is suitable for both domestic and commercial use and can accommodate 10-ounce cartridges easily. Furthermore, it has a smooth mechanism for releasing the caulk and a practical hook for convenient hanging on a hook. For easy application, the accessory includes a large thumb-operated latch.
OX Tools Pro 10 Oz Caulking Gun, 12:1 Thrust Ratio, Dripless Mechanism
If you want an ergonomic gun for caulking, you should go for this one. It’s well made to handle regular use and is less likely to break or be damaged courtesy of the solid construction. Besides the proper materials, it is easy to use courtesy of the basic mechanism. Nevertheless, despite its simplicity, this piece can handle demanding jobs without problems.
It features a friendly handle for easy gripping and quick application and comes in a non-dripping style to prevent wastage. Moreover, it boasts of a good capacity to handle a decent volume of up to 400ml. This is ideal for amateurs as well as professionals. Thanks to the High thrust trigger, the unit releases the contents effortlessly and can endure the pressure fairly well.
COX 63002 Berkshire 29-Ounces Cartridge Pneumatic Caulk Gun
Next, we have the COX 63002 Berkshire caulking gun. The pneumatic piece is much easier to use in comparison to the manual or electric types. With just a little press of the switch, it releases a decent volume to get the work done sooner rather than later; also, you will use lesser effort. It is perfect for demanding jobs such as in a commercial setting.
It can handle a 29-Ounce cartridge well and is ideal for 100-PSI pressure. The tool prides itself on sturdy aluminum construction. It will not rust, corrode, and keeps its looks and reliability for a long period. The truly adjustable air regulator and the piston rod action plunger further enhance the excellent operation.
3 In 1 Caulking Gun Fits Standard Size 10oz Caulk – Includes Built-In Cutter
This is also another impressive tool that is suitable for both beginners as well as experienced users. It comes in industrial design to handle even the demanding jobs. At the same time, it’s pretty simple to soot a first time user. The caulking gun features steel construction to handle the pressure, regular use, and environments. Furthermore, its chrome-plated to improve its looks and prevent rust/corrosion.
To avoid wastage or messy surroundings, this gun has a simple design. In addition to being a caulking tool, it also serves as Seal Punch and n Sharpened Blade Cutter. Some of its main positives include good design, solid construction, and nice weight and smooth operation.
Tajima CNV-100SP Convoy Super Rotary Caulk Gun With Auto Flow Stop, Extra-Long
Not a stranger in the best caulking guns review, the Tajima CNV-100SP Convoy is appropriate for most users, whether beginners or pros. We love its versatile design, which not only suits it for a range of applications but also makes it fit for individuals with varying experience. And as you can see, it has a basic design, which improves usability.
The Super Rotary Caulk Gun features an extra-long barrel (10.5 inches) to handle as much as 1/10-Gallon capacity. And thanks to its steel construction, the unit is less likely to bulge under pressure, regular use, or mishandling. We also like the good ergonomic design that improves usage as well as comfort.
Air Powered Caulk Gun With Easy-Pull Shut-Off Valve (PL155800AV)
Applying to caulk does not need to feel harder than it is. You also should not create a mess or waste the materials because you are inexperienced in using the tool. With the Campbell Hausfeld, you will be able to apply caulking in various situations easily. It does not matter if you are doing this the first time. The main credit goes to it being air powered which means you use very little effort.
Thanks to the ergonomic design, your hands and fingers will not get too tired after a long period of use. Besides, it features a smoothly finished surface that not only provides a nice grip but also enhances the tool’s appearance. It dispenses as much as 10.1 fluid ounces at a go and weighs just 2.8 pounds.
Albion Engineering B12S20 B-Line Manual Sausage Caulking Gun, 20 Oz, 12:1 Driver
Boasting of a 12:1 drive, the B12S20 b-Line also makes it to the best caulking guns reviews. The manual piece works great with standard viscosity items. In spite of being manual, it is amongst the easiest you use. You just need to apply little effort for the material to start flowing.
The good design and weight help with the handling while the 2-inch diameter barrel can accommodate a decent volume. It is created from top-grade aluminum and will handle pressures as high as 120 psi. Moreover, it isn’t prone to corrosion or rust. The accessory has a full size handles for better grip and comfort while the double gripping plate technology prevents slipping and extends durability.
COX 41004-XT Chilton Extra Thrust 10.3-Ounce Cartridge Cradle Manual Caulk Gun
With a mechanical advantage of 18:1, this caulking gun will deliver good pressure. It lays out the material in a smooth and continuous for good coverage. What’s more, the gun does not require lots of force. It includes a slidable flow control to vary the volume while you vary the speed using your hands.
This product features a sintered steel catch plate that helps in the operation. In contrast, the barrel makes applying around corners easy. It can handle medium to high viscosity products quite well. For convenience, the item comes with a Wear Compensating Device (WCD) and a built-in ladder hook.
Dripless Inc. ETS2000 Ergo Composite Caulk Gun
Applying caulking on different surfaces is what Dripless Inc. ETS2000 Ergo Composite Caulk Gun is designed to do. It is smaller than some of its closest rivals. Also, it is much lighter. Nevertheless, the device can handle high pressure and this aids in the smooth and quick flow. The well-crafted barrel design handles the cartridges well and helps to present drips.
The ergonomic design contributes to the easy use and comfort while the good finish provides a firm grip. For a good hold, it has a well-placed trigger handle and is well balanced for excellent comfort. This caulking gun is compatible with many products including silicon, adhesive, cement, and asphalt.
Albion Engineering B12 B-Line Manual Cartridge Caulking Gun, 1/10 Gallon (10 Oz)
When talking about the best caulking guns, the Albion name surfaces more-often-than-not. Of its many good products, the B12 B-Line gun ranks among the top. And although it’s manual unit, it works effortlessly. It features the legendary Albion design, which is famed for simplicity, efficiency, and reliability. The tool has a good Thrust ratio of 12:1 and a decent capacity of 1/10 gallon.
It is a good choice for beginners and professionals and handles demanding jobs pretty well. At the same time, the caulking gun has a sturdy handle to put up with the pressure and a ladder hook pull. The item is based on Albion’s leading Double-Gripping Plate technology and has a nice and comfortable grip. It works with different types of cartridges including acrylics, silicones, and polyurethane.
Newborn 930-GTD Drip-Free Smooth Hex Rod Cradle Caulking Gun
The Newborn 930-GTD is one of the best caulking guns in 2019. It has a good Thrust ratio of 10:1 and is okay for most applications, both home domestic and commercial. The unit is much easier and more comfortable to use when compared to its rivals. This is due to the highly responsive and well-placed trigger. Besides, the tool has good ergonomics for better comfort and handling.
It has a 1/10 gallon capacity, which, together with the smooth pressure rod, allows the material to roll out smoothly. Additionally, the drip-free design prevents wastage or a messy job. Lastly, it has a suitable lightweight for better operation.
Newborn 250 Super Smooth Rod Revolving Frame Caulking Gun
If you want a Professional-grade gun for caulking, then this one is what you need. It handles most applications well thanks to the high quality built and durable materials. Also, courtesy of the high thrust ratio (18:1), it releases a decent volume with minimal effort. What’s more, it doesn’t create a mess or waste the materials thanks to the dripless style.
It comes with a revolving barrel for use in tight locations and a strong zinc alloy handle to handle the pressure. Moreover, the friendly handle has a good grip for quick application. The 1/10 gallon capacity is ideal for both amateurs and professionals and is perfect for different materials including adhesives, acrylic, cement, asphalt, and butyl.
Makita XGC01Z 18V LXT 10-Ounce Caulk And Adhesive Gun
Lastly, we have this caulking gun by Makita. It feels strong, reliable and should last a long time in good hands. The strong steel materials, together with the good built, allow the motor to deliver up to 1,100-pounds of force. It is electrically operated and has a 10-ounce capacity to work with standard cartridges. The tool has a nice feels courtesy of the ergonomic design and this improves comfort even after handling for a long time.
With the 360-degree rotation, it is fit for tight spots and is also very versatile. This also makes it right for domestic as well as commercial use. On top of this, the smooth mechanism and easy-reach trigger boost functionality.
Buying Guides of Caulking Gun
While the sight of dozens of options on display at home improvement stores (or online) may seem daunting, if you follow these tips to understand the basics of how these tools work, you’ll easily choose the best caulking gun for your project.
Check out the rod – Squeezing the hand trigger on manual caulking gun forces a rod into the back of the tube of caulk, which in turn pushes the caulk out of the tube’s tip. There are two main types of the gun rod that vary slightly in performance.
- Ratchet rod – Caulking guns with ratchet rods (serrated rods that “catch” with each hand squeeze) are inexpensive and suitable for light projects. The biggest problem with ratchet rods is that the sealant keeps oozing out until you twist the end of the rod and pull it back to release pressure. This can make a mess and lead to wasted sealant.
- Smooth rod – When you’re done applying caulk with a smooth rod caulking gun—often advertised as “dripless”—you need only depress a thumb lever to release pressure on the sealant.
Get the right thrust ratio – Look for the thrust ratio on the caulking gun’s package or in its online description. Thrust ratio relates to the amount of force generated each time you squeeze the hand trigger. The higher the ratio, the more force exerted with each squeeze. This is important because different types of sealant are more or less viscid (thick). With thicker sealants, more thrust ratio is required to dispense the sealant. Thrust ratios run from 3:1 to 28:1. Guns with lower ratios are suitable for dispensing thin types of caulk, such as water-based, latex caulk, while higher thrust ratios are needed for dispensing more vicious types of caulk, such as epoxy sealants.
Look for a revolving frame to caulk around corners – Stopping and starting when running a bead of caulk can lead to unsightly lumps and bulges. It’s especially challenging to run a continuous bead around a corner because you must change the hand position and the angle of the gun. With a revolving frame, however, as you round a corner, simply rotate the frame (instead of the whole gun) to caulk without interruption.
Save the product with a sausage gun – It sounds like a breakfast tool, but a sausage gun is actually designed to hold collapsible foil cylinders of sealant, called “sausages.” These caulking guns, which operate in much the same manner as others (manual or powered), let you squeeze every last bit of sealant from the sausage, so there’s very little waste.
Consider a powered caulking gun – Repeatedly squeezing a trigger can lead to hand and wrist fatigue, which is why powered caulking guns are becoming more popular. When they first hit the market a few years ago, powered caulking guns were reserved for commercial and industrial projects. Today, DIYers are discovering the benefit of letting the gun dispense the sealant so they can focus on creating a smooth bead. With no hand trigger, the thrust ratio does not apply. Instead, you’ll regulate dispensing pressure via a light squeeze on the finger trigger.
- Electric – Like other electric tools, an electric caulking gun comes with a cord and requires access to an electrical outlet. Light pressure on a finger trigger allows you to dispense just the right amount of sealant.
- Battery Powered – This bad boy has removable batteries and a charger, so you can run a bead of caulk in locations where electricity isn’t available, typically running two to three hours per charge. If you have a lot of caulking to do, consider investing in an extra battery so you won’t run out of juice before you’re done.
- Pneumatic – Air-powered caulking guns are among the most popular powered options for home workshops because there’s no battery to charge and they interchange with other air-power tools, but you will need an air compressor. In addition to the gun’s finger trigger, dispensing pressure can be regulated by adjusting the pressure on your air compressor.
Final Word
Choosing the right caulk gun can be a challenge. This may also apply to seasoned users. First, you need to know the critical features to focus on. Second, you should know the kind of work you will be doing. Is it at home, commercial, infrequent or regular? Third, you should ascertain whether you prefer a manual, electric, or pneumatic type. Fourth, it pays to know what consumers and experts are saying about your target product.
The above are but a few of the issues you need to solve. Price, construction quality, capacity, Thrust ratio, brand reputation is also critical. We dug deep into the market to find out more about the popular pieces. We went a step further to identify and rank the best caulking guns in 2019. With this information, we believe that making the right decision is now easier.