The best caulking gun is determined by the scale of your fixing projects – from sealing windows to caulking in a high water area.
Here, we’ve compiled several caulking guns that give excellent value for money – and additionally, are perfect for small to large-sized jobs.
Best One Newborn 930-GTD Drip Free Caulking Gun
Besides, we’ve talked about how to find the right caulking gun for you. Overall, this article will be your ultimate guide to caulking guns.
Why We Use Caulking Gun?
Before you go into our breakdown of the best caulk gun, we have to be clear on our desired tool.
What is it?
And, what does it do?
You want to reseal all the windows in your home and fill in the cracks in walls or any other areas. What you don’t want to is to let drafts seep into your home, or let heating bills rise. These mutually inclusive conditions leave you chilled and at the same time mess up your bank account.
What’s the solution?
A caulk gun!
The solution is so simple that many of us tend to ignore it. This is an important tool for many homeowners. Its numerous applications continue to surprise me, as it will surprise you too. Mainly it allows you to fill any cracks and gaps in a building, keeping insects, harsh weather out.
How We Compiled Our List?
Want to seal cracks and gaps around the house in a snap? Get a caulking gun.
Now, in such situations, we always turn to the cheapest option. The result is inevitable – caulk doesn’t hold up, seals start cracking within days after applying, threatening to let moisture and water in.
Very frustrating!
Here’s what we did for you. We’d consulted five carpenters with a combined experience of 40 years. Plus, we’d received input from three leading essential tool experts. With everyone’s effort combined, we’d come up with 25 caulking guns. After using these 25 guns on major home renovation projects, we’ve settled on the best tools!
Yes, the final list gave us 10 caulking guns!
Compared to the poor quality tools you’re tired of, these 10 caulk gun never disappointed homeowners. They are designed for any individual looking to up their home renovation projects.
What Types of Caulking Gun are Available?
Smooth rod caulking gun, electric or cordless caulking gun, ratcheting caulking gun, pneumatic guns, etc. Every types has some own advantages, pros, cons. So, you can choose as per your needs and budget.
Without further ado, we give you
10 Best Caulking Gun List:
- 1. Makita XGC01Z 18V Caulk and Adhesive Gun
- 2. Ryobi P310G 18v Pistol Grip Caulk Gun
- 3. DEWALT DCE560B 20-Volt Cordless Caulking Gun
- 4. Newborn 250 Caulking Gun
- 5. Newborn 930-GTD Caulking Gun (Best Overall)
- 6. Driples Inc. ETS2000 Caulk Gun
- 7. Tajima CNV-100SP Rotary Caulk Gun
- 8. Red Devil 3989 Extreme Duty Caulking Gun
- 9. Albion Engineering B12 B Caulking Gun
- 10. Cambell Hausfeld PL155800AV Air Powered Caulk Gun
Now, let’s check out what our experts have to say about them.
Best Caulking Guns (Quick Overview)
1. Makita XGC01Z 18V Caulk and Adhesive Gun
Weighing around 10 oz. with amazing features, this caulking gun is the perfect epitome of excellence. The Makita XGC01Z is the best caulking gun, designed especially for tradesmen who want to pack a punch in tackling heavy-duty renovation projects.
➤ Features:
Convenience: Honestly, we hardly have come across a tool that does everything right as the Makita XGC01Z. Light enough, versatile enough, and powerful enough to make this a perfect caulk gun for any homeowner or DIYer to use. The convenient design has an axis that rotates the cartridge 360 degrees. This proved extremely useful for reaching corners.
Lightweight: Using this caulk gun was a real pleasure! One thing it’s lightweight. And, the other is that it comes with a comfortable handle that allows you to work for long periods of time. We worked on a 25-year-old home for 2 hours straight with it and I didn’t experience fatigue – thanks to its user-friendly design.
Power: This powerful cordless caulk gun effectively delivers 1,100 pounds of dispensing force. This sheer power leads to more work done in little time. Additionally, it dispenses the sealant as much as you need. The 5-speed dial allows you to optimize the flow rate between 0 and 66 IPM. For contractors, the Makita XGC01Z will be a best battery caulking gun.
Versatility: Getting to adjust a tool according to the job in hand is a real blessing! Makita did an excellent job at making this tool as versatile as possible. You want to be able to monitor the tool when working. The inbuilt variable speed trigger makes sure of that. A convenient LED light keeps the place of use well lit. As a result, you can complete sealing more accurately with this high quality caulking gun.
Specifications
- Weight: 5.05 pounds (without battery)
- 1,100 lbs dispensing force
- 5-speed dial
- Dispenses high viscosity adhesives and sealants
What We Liked
- Lightweight
- Cordless, hassle-free function
- 18V Lithium-ion batteries
- Ease of use
- Versatile
- LED light
What We Didn’t Like
- No ladder hook
2. Ryobi P310G 18v Pistol Grip Caulk Gun
The name Pistol tempts my sense of humor, evoking images of Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean wielding pistols. Anyways, in this article, we’re going to discuss a best caulking gun that will tempt you with its accuracy and efficiency. Yes, it’s none other than the Ryobi P310G.
The Ryobi P310G is one impressive caulking gun that offers you complete control over your renovation tasks. My assembled carpenters noted the tool’s ease of use in particular. For tradesmen, this could be the go-to tool to tackle large scale caulk tasks.
➤ Features:
Convenience: The Ryobi P310G is designed for any individual looking for an effective power caulk and adhesive gun. This is an exceptional all-around caulk gun, capable of handling small to large-sized construction tasks. Our tests revealed the caulk gun is an absolute bargain for the price. If you need power, this is the best cordless caulking gun for the money.
Power: Handling a higher viscosity material with this machine was easy. Thanks to its dispensing power. The Ryobi P310G effectively generates over 500 lbs. of push force. The push force is enough to get everything out of the tube. This is a battery powered caulk gun. And, it does well for such a model.
Complaint: The general consensus of this caulking gun is that it gets large scale jobs done. And, it’s very accurate. However, our carpenters did note some issues with the Ryobi. They complained about caulk spewing out the rear side of the tube. Caulk isn’t supposed to gum up the insides.
But, it does sometimes for this gun, messing up the push-rod end. Besides, it’s a bit heavy. If you too experience this issue, we recommend you buy them.
Specifications
- Weight: 4.50 pounds
- 18-volt battery
- 500 lbs dispensing force
- Dispenses high viscosity sealants
What We Liked
- Switch lock
- Long-lasting battery
- Efficient and accurate
- Variable speed selector
- Handles large-sized tasks well
What We Didn’t Like
- A bit heavy
- Caulk gums up the insides
3. DEWALT DCE560B 20-Volt Cordless Caulking Gun
Recommended by our tool experts, we decided to include a professional-level adhesive tool. Our tests left the spot for no other but the Dewalt DCE560B. The cordless caulking gun is designed for any professional looking for extreme accuracy and excellence in their work.
➤ Features:
Convenience: Everything in this tool is designed to offer you complete autonomy in work. It supports different capacity and size cartridges.
This cordless caulking gun will alleviate frustration for those of you who have to scour the market for suitable cartridges. Additionally, the cartridge holder is rotatable at 360 degrees, allowing you to reach corners.
Quality: DEWALT always seems to market high-quality tools and garner many positive reviews. We think this is because of the perfect balance between price and quality.
This caulk is no different. One special feature We’d like to mention is the auto-reverse function. The function effectively reduces waste, drips, and clean-up.
Power: The Dewalt is able to deliver up to 650 lbs. pushing force. This force proved enough when we tried to dispense higher-viscosity adhesives and sealants.
Specifications
- Weight: 4.1 pounds
- 20-volt battery
- 640 lbs dispensing force
- Dispenses high viscosity adhesives
- Accepts 300- to 310-ml, 1/10 gal., 10-oz cartridges
What We Liked
- Smooth dispensing
- Keeps workstation clean
- Can handle large scale jobs
What We Didn’t Like
- The deficit in speed control
- Too high caulking rate
4. Newborn 250 Caulking Gun
The Newborn 250 is a popular caulking gun that will surely add great value to your projects. The product has been designed with homeowners in mind who need to tackle renovation tasks occasionally. The Newborn 250 requires very low maintenance – just pull it out and pull the trigger, knowing that it will never disappoint you!
➤ Features:
Comfort: Our experts found the Newborn 250 very comfortable to work with. Its ease of use will appeal to beginners. Homeowners who never used a caulk gun before will immediately get used to it.
Functionality: If your caulk gun doesn’t deliver even distribution of sealant, you’ll have to seal things repeatedly. The Newborn 250, in this case, is free from such a disadvantage. It maintains equal pressure, hence even distribution.
Power: What really sets apart the Newborn 250 from others is its thrust ratio. It has a solid 18-to-1 thrust ratio. This ratio attributes to its smooth, formidable operation.
If you are searching high thrust caulk gun then go with Newborn 250. Its one of the best high thrust ratio caulk gun.
Design: It has a distinctive feel of reliance. Its zinc-alloy construction is very impressive – corrosion-resistant! Besides, the revolving frame offers you a good looking visible bead. Honestly, We feel We should get going whenever We see this caulk gun.
Specifications
- Fits 1/10-gal. cartridges
- Dispenses acrylic, adhesives, butyl, asphalt, and cement
- Zinc alloy handle
What We Liked
- 18:1 thrust ratio
- Smooth operation
- Great build quality
What We Didn’t Like
- Drips
- A bit expensive
5. Newborn 930-GTD Caulking Gun
Another Heavy duty caulk gun from Newborn, but this one is only useful for small renovation tasks. It does pack a punch that will surprise you. Another feature that will surprise you is that the Newborn 930-GTD is dripless, for that reason this is the best dripless caulk gun.
➤ Features:
Dripless Design: The primary feature of the Newborn 930-GTD that appeals to most customers is that it doesn’t drip. A dripless design helps you maintain a clean, tidy workstation. This smooth rod caulking gun actually benefits homeowners who have zero tolerance for mess.
Thrust Ratio: This product maintains a standard thrust ratio of 10:1. It’s not much, but adequate. However, sometimes, we needed to apply strength manually to maintain consistent pressure.
Performance: The half-barrel design of this gun fits average-size caulk materials. We used the Newborn 930-GTD to reseal a toilet and observed consistent beads and pressure in the application.
Its easy-to-grip trigger and smooth operation are also notable. This is a beginner-friendly caulk gun; basic in operation. Hence, it lacks some of the advanced features.
Specifications
- Weight: 2.47 pounds
- Steel half-barrel frame
- Fits 1/10-gal. cartridges
- Dispenses caulk, adhesives, and sealants
What We Liked
- Dripless design
- Beginner-friendly
- Smooth operation
- Ergonomic design
What We Didn’t Like
- Standard thrust ratio
- Requires manual pressure
6. Driples Inc. ETS2000 Caulk Gun
This cheap caulking gun looks sleek with the half-barrel design and goes fine with average-size caulk tubes. What surprises many is its weight. Besides being lightweight, the Dripless Inc. ETS2000 has ample features to be your preferred caulk gun.
➤ Features:
User-Friendly: The Dripless Inc. ETS2000 is a reliable tool. You might not require a caulk gun every day, a week or every month. But, when you do, you can relax, knowing that this product will back you up in any situation.
Lightweight: As we said above this tool will surprise you. It sure will, at least with its lightweight. It’s lighter than the standard caulk gun. The secret to its lightness is that it’s made with composite material. This keeps the weight significantly lower.
Convenient: Whenever shopping for a caulk gun, we are looking for the one with a ladder hook. A ladder hook readies the gun whenever you are. Additionally, we find it very effortless to open its tube. Thanks to its built-in cutter.
Drips: We really have to boo Dripless Inc. for its sensationalized advertising. After loading the gun with the first tube, it started to ooze out. We feel robbed when a product doesn’t live up to its marketing.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.10 pounds
- Fits 10 oz. cartridges
- 12:1 thrust ratio
What We Liked
- Lightweight
- Great for casual users
- Comfortable to work with
What We Didn’t Like
- Drips
- Bad with adhesives
7. Tajima CNV-100SP Rotary Caulk Gun
Especially, We recommended the Tajima CNV-100SP caulking gun to a building company. Its name might be somewhat confusing, but in terms of performance, the Tajima CNV-100SP is very dependable! The building company as expected noted the gun’s strength, versatility, and ease of use. Our carpenters gave the product props for design, comfort, and construction.
➤ Features:
Design: The first thing you’ll notice upon holding this gun is its quality design. It feels great to hold the gun. And, rugged aluminum made handle. On the downside, somewhat unrealistic, you have to release the trigger to get the caulk material to flow. We fashioned the product with extra springs. This improved the plunger and made the best use of caulk.
Convenience: The Tajima 3-in-1 delivers a good amount of power. Complemented by the extra long barrel, you got a “lethal” weapon. The long barrel will benefit you in many ways. One of the ways is that you no longer have to smash tubes into the gun. Usually, you have to deal with this issue with most caulk guns.
Beads: Consistent beads with consistent pressure, what more could you ask for? The caulk gun really made a very little mess.
Extras: We can’t help but be amazed with how feature-packed the Tajima CNV-100SP is! Auto flow control keeps track of your use of sealants, thereby reducing wastage. A powerful twin thrust dispensing system delivers sheer performance in sealing.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Dispenses 1/10-gallon tube caulks and adhesives
- 10 ½ inch rotating steel barrel
- Twin thrust dispensing system
- Seal puncture tool, palm grip, and auto flow control
What We Liked
- Solid build
- Has adequate power
- Comfortable to work with
What We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t have a cutter
8. Red Devil 3989 Extreme Duty Caulking Gun
The Red Devil Caulking Gun strikes a unique balance between build quality and operation. It is very consistent and reliable caulking gun for use on a regular basis. A little improvement in ergonomics is needed.
➤ Features:
Construction: One of the best heavy duty caulking gun. It has revolving easy load barrel. One of our experts mentioned that he’d been using this caulk gun for 6 years, and the gun is still the champ!
Drip free Technology: The Red Devil Caulking Gun introduced me to many new terms. Drip free technology is one of them. It just means the shaft can be unlocked to make the gun dripless. Additionally, it boasts the contractor grade quality build. The build makes the gun very versatile.
Convenience: The Red Devil is an ideal caulking gun. It’s lightweight and has a ergonomic rubber trigger, that’s provides a good grip. The product comes with a quick release lever that allows you to change the caulk smoothly.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.08 pounds
- Drip free technology
- Thrust ratio 26:1
- Fits standard size caulk
What We Liked
- Built-in cutter
- Easy to hold
- Dripless
What We Didn’t Like
- A bit heavy
9. Albion Engineering B12 Caulking Gun
The heavyweight caulking gun in our list. The Albion Engineering weighs a whopping 20 oz. instead of the standard 10. Yes, as you can imagine it will be as larger. The product is lightweight, durable, and it delivers a great amount of dispensing force.
➤ Features:
Thrust Ratio: The Albion Engineering maintains a ratio, a bit bigger than the standard; 12:1. It can generate enough thrust to dispense higher viscosity materials. We’ve tried with silicone, acrylic, and latex, and faced no issue.
Construction: The product is highly corrosion resistant. Its barrel is made with aluminum. It’s a bit different than usual. Usually, its canister use is very unique. The canister allows you to hold the caulk. Therefore, the gun is sometimes referred to as a manual drive sausage.
Extra Nozzles: Everything in this caulk gun is geared toward making your resealing tasks easier. If you’re able to hit the right spot in the right direction, then job’s half done! The two extra nozzles will make sure of that. Additionally, the gun’s unique design is effective for sealing hard-to-reach spots. Easy squeeze caulk gun for that reason its a best caulk gun for weak hands.
Specifications
- Size: 9 x 14.3 x 2.3 inches
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Suitable for 300 ml or 1/10 gallon cartridges
- Maximum Operating Pressure is 120 pounds/square inch
- Steel body
What We Liked
- Ladder hook
- Adequate thrust ratio
What We Didn’t Like
- Not suitable for small projects
- A bit expensive
10. Cambell Hausfeld PL155800AV Air Powered Caulk Gun
This air powered caulking gun is designed to help you carry out renovation tasks for a long period of time without fatigue. Credit goes to its lightweight design. The caulk gun requires standard cartridge material packs to dispense adhesives and sealants.
➤ Features:
Performance: The CambellHausfeld is an ideal caulk gun that dispenses a variety of materials precisely. Our carpenters noted that the product is very effective at disposing of different types of adhesives, sealants, and caulk smoothly.
Shut-Off Valve: This exceptional feature allows you to have greater control over the flow. Its mechanism is that the valve stops material when you release the trigger, allowing accurate flow control.
Complaint: This product is durable; no doubt about that. But, it has a design flaw. The trigger is placed faultily. For this reason, our carpenters complain about being pinched.
Moreover, it doesn’t have a compressor, which we think is necessary for a caulk gun attachable to an air hose.
Specifications
- Weight: 2.40 pounds
- Fits standard cartridges
- Dispenses 10.1 fluid ounces
What We Liked
- Durable
- Good caulking speed
What We Didn’t Like
- Placement of the trigger
- No compressor
Best Caulking Gun (Buying Guide)
Most of us were there – grabbing a caulking gun off the shelf impromptu, then finding it extremely difficult to work with. Manufacturers are too maligned. Actually, we don’t give much thought to pre-purchase effort and don’t research about a product before purchase. As a result, we become frustrated, often find ourselves too bored to continue working.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way.
A little research could go a long way and prevent you from you choosing the wrong tool. The result of any renovation project depends on the quality and right tools. You can’t expect to finish a construction project without choosing the right tool. The same goes for a caulking gun.
A caulking gun has many sensitive factors worth considering for a task to be completed successfully. These factors are critically contingent on the type of project you’re undertaking.
So, before putting your money down to shop for a caulking gun, check out these important factors.
Different Projects, Different Materials
You may need to handle different projects, ranging from resealing windows to caulking in a high water area. These different projects require different caulk materials. Besides, adhesives are also applied with a caulk gun. Here’s how you choose materials according to your projects.
Quick Overview on Materials
- For resealing windows and filling in cracks that let outside air into the house, choose acrylic caulk.
- For caulking in a high water area, go for a silicone caulk.
- For masonry and metal joints, choose a butyl caulk.
Viscosity
Viscosity means the thickness of a material. Viscosity is directly related to the thrust ratio of your caulk gun. You’re going to need a higher thrust ratio for higher viscous adhesives and sealants, and vice versa.
We recommend that you choose a caulk gun with varied speed, as it would work perfectly with different viscosity. The Makita XGC01Z we discussed on this page offers a variety of speed.
Drip
The last thing you’d want to deal with is an unnecessary mess when working with a caulking gun. Drippage makes a mess, thereby depleting caulk quickly. Many models promising to be drip-free actually aren’t completely drip-free.
So, check out whether your caulk gun draws back the plunger to prevent unintended dispensing. Of all the products, we’ve reviewed on this page, we found Newborn 930-GTD and Red Devil 3989 to be satisfyingly drip-free.
Precision
Resealing and crack filling require much precision. For example, laying a joint of the same width in the same line requires equal dispensing of materials, something that can’t be done with a faulty caulk gun.
Quality
A high-quality caulking gun will stand the test of time. On the other hand, a gun low on quality causes nothing but frustration. But, high quality comes at a cost. So, pay a little extra to for the perfect caulking gun.
Benefits of Using a Caulking Gun
Oscillating between freezing rains and balmy days, November marks the inception of winter. Winter creeps in and summer starts to fade. December facilitates the ground for winter.
In addition to making us invest in warm clothes, these chilly days bring about frigid drafts creeping into our homes.
Scary enough, all of a sudden you notice cracks around windows! Gaps around door frames then seem even wider! Besides, the sink that your wife always complains about seems to be falling apart from the counter.
The only tool that can set things apart in such calamity is a caulking gun! You can trust this tool for a number of home improvement or building tasks.
If you’re working on waterproofing, weatherproofing, or any major construction project, a caulking gun is a must-have tool.
Best Caulking Gun FAQs:
How Do You Open The Tube of Caulking?
First, cut the tube tip to your preferred size and insert a nail to break the seal. Now, place the tube over the round plate. Then, begin to squeeze the handle until the caulk flows into the open side of the gun.
What Can I Use Instead of Caulk?
Spray foam is an alternative to caulking. Polyurethane foam can fill in cracks.
Is Caulk a Sealant?
Sealant and caulk are two different objects. Caulk is used in areas that won’t be subject to expansion and contraction. The sealant is suitable for areas likely to be expanded and contracted.
What Can I Put On Windows To Keep Cold Out?
Here are some effective methods:
- Re-caulk windows and doors.
- Use weather strips
- Insulate windows with a film.
- Use a door snake.
Final Thoughts
A simple caulking gun is a must-have tool for any renovation project around your home. Homeowners rely on caulking gun for resealing windows, filling in cracks and gaps, and tackling remodeling projects.
Invest in a quality caulk gun and slash your energy bills. Discussed in this article are the best caulking guns that are currently leading the market.
Additionally, useful tips in our buyers’ guide will help you navigate the market of caulking guns and make the perfect purchase.
Share your experience after usage and give us feedback with comments.
