10 Best Heat Guns to Buy In 2020
There is always something to do or fix around the house, and so it is always necessary to make sure that you have the right tools to help you out with these tasks. A heat gun is one of the handiest tools that you can have at home as it has numerous applications. Whether you want to strip some old paint, bend some plastic pipes or dry some wood, a heat gun will be very helpful.
A heat gun looks like the blow dryer in appearance, and the two also work in an almost similar way, but the gun is more powerful and produces more heat. However, all heat guns are not the same as they will differ in various characteristics such as the temperature output and the air flow speed.
In this piece, we will look at some of the top heat guns on the market and some important things that you should consider when shopping for one so as to make it simpler for you to find a unit that will help you in your projects.
Image | Product Name | Power | Temperature Range | Rating | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Genesis GHG1500A Heat Gun Kit | 750 W, 1500 W | 572/1000 ºF | 4.4 | |
 | 2. Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun | 300 W | 400 - 600 ºF | 4.7 | |
 | 3. Porter-Cable PC1500HG Heat Gun | 1500 W | 120 - 900 ºF | 4.7 | |
 | 4. Wagner HT 400 Heat Gun | 360 W | 650 ºF | 4.8 | |
 | 5. Black & Decker HG1300 Heat Gun | 1350 W | 750 - 1000 ºF | 4.6 | |
 | 6. ProTect Heat Gun | 1500 W | 750 - 1000 ºF | 4.4 | |
 | 7. DeWalt D26960K Heavy-Duty Heat Gun | 1550 W | 150 - 1100 ºF | 4.7 | |
 | 8. NTE Mini HG-300D Heat Gun | 350 W | 482 - 662 ºF | 4.5 | |
 | 9. DeWalt D26950 Heat Gun | 1550 W | 120 - 1100 ºF | 4.5 | |
 | 10. ABN Mini Heat Gun | 300W | N/A | 4.5 |
10 Best Heat Guns - Reviews
#1. Genesis GHG1500A Heat Gun Kit
Editor's Rating: 
(4.4 / 5)
The Genesis GHG1500A is the second cheapest heat gun on our list and also one of the lightest. And so apart from being an affordable gun, the light weight makes it very easy to handle and very portable to ensure you can carry it when working on something away from home.
This gun comes with a powerful 12.5 Amps motor, and it has 750 or 1500 Wattages which makes it ideal for all you small and medium size projects that require the use a heat gun. It is also quite a versatile tool as it has high and low heat setting making it ideal for delicate projects like drying paint and those that require a lot of heat like bending pipes.
Genesis GHG1500A has 2 deflector nozzles that will help ensure that you do not damage your windows when stripping paint. It also comes with 1 reflector nozzle that will come in handy when thawing pipes as it help to make the process fast. And lastly, it also has an air reduction nozzle that adds to its versatility.
#2. Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: 
(4.7 / 5)
This Chandler product is one of the best heat guns for an individual looking for something for multipurpose use. Chandler makes it as a complete kit that is ideal for removing paint and floor tiles, shrinking plastic films and tubing and also when you want to loosen some troublesome bolts.
The company gives it some corrosion-resistant nozzles to make it ideal for use even in moist environments and also to ensure that you will not need to buy replacement nozzles for a long time. Also, it has a dual temperature setting as you can use it at either 400 degrees or 600 degrees and hence making it quite versatile.
This home heat gun has a wattage of 300 which makes it powerful enough to handle most of the projects around the home. Finally, it has a low noise design that makes it one of the most silent our list and a 2 fan speed that lets you vary the rate at which the hot air comes out.
#3. Porter-Cable PC1500HG Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: (4.7 / 5)
If you are hunting for the best cheap heat gun and you do not mind a cable, the Porte-Cable PC1500HG is a perfect pick for you. This gun is one of the most powerful on our list as it comes with a 1500-Watt motor and so you can be confident that it can handle any DIY project you want to do.
Despite the presence of a cable it is still one of the lightest in this list as it only weighs around 1 pound and so it is very easy to handle, and you will get less arm fatigue. This heat gun has a dual speed fan that makes it possible to get high and low fan speeds. Also, it has a variable control dial that makes it easy to adjust the temperature.
The manufacturer gives it a hands-free support to make it even more convenient to use and to eliminate the need of always having it in your hands when working. Finally, the 6-feet long cord is very flexible, and it provides an extended reach.
#4. Wagner HT 400 Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: 
(4.8 / 5)
Wagner HT 400 is a product from one of the most reputable heat gun manufacturer, and so users can be sure that it is a top notch unit. Although it looks small and compact, it still performs way much better than many others that are double or even triple its size and weight.
This unit has one heat setting of 650 degrees, but the best thing about it is that it keeps it consistent throughout and so it is perfect when doing jobs that require a constant heat. It has a 360-Watt motor which is one of the smallest on our list, but it still produces a decent amount of power.
The compact size of this heat gun and the small motor makes it the best for hobbies and crafts such as applying embossing powders and shrink wraps. Also, it produces just the right amount of heat for remelting adhesives and electrical shrink wrap application.
#5. Black & Decker HG1300 Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: 
(4.6 / 5)
The Black & Decker HG1300 is another excellent option for anyone looking for a heat gun that comes with a cord. This gun comes in a lightweight and compact design that makes it convenient to use for extended periods, and it is also one of the easiest to handle in our list despite the fact that it comes with a cord.
HG1300 has two temperatures settings which are 1000 degrees and 750 degrees making it ideal for various applications. You can use it to strip varnish or paint, thaw frozen pipes, and also for quick drying almost anything. This unit comes with a built-in stand that makes cooling down easy and safe for the user.
Finally, Black & Decker backs it with a 2-year warranty which is longer than what you get from most other brands.
#6. ProTect Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: (4.4 / 5)
ProTect builds this heat gun to be as dynamic as possible. The company achieves this by giving it a 2-step temperature range, 2-step air flow range and variable temperatures control to make this the most customizable heat gun on this list. And so you can tune it to do almost any heating task at home.
The 1500-Watt motor is very powerful, and it will help you do anything from shrinking tubing to stripping paint and doing some plastic welding. With its continuous temperature control and the dual fan speed, you will always be in control of any task that you are doing.
ProTect also takes safety into consideration when designing this gun. To make it safer for the user the company gives it a built-in mechanism for preventing overheating. This feature also helps to make this heat gun very reliable.
#7. DeWalt D26960K Heavy-Duty Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: (4.7 / 5)
DeWalt D26960K is the most expensive unit on our list, but this is understandable so since it is a heavy duty heat gun with some amazing features. The LCD is one of its most outstanding features, and it also gives it a modern feel. Apart from using it to monitor the temperature, it will also allow you to adjust it in 50-degree increments. The temperature ranges between 150 and 1100 degrees, which is a broader range than what most other heat guns provide.
This heat gun features a built-in protection for overloads that will shut down its heating element to ensure it does not burn-up. Also, it has a built-in hang ring that will make storage easy and convenient, kickstand support for stability and a cord protector to ensure that it does not tear away from the housing.
Finally, this heat gun comes as a complete set in a sturdy kit box which includes different types of nozzles and scrapers and strippers for removing paint.
#8. NTE Mini HG-300D Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: 
(4.5 / 5)
The HG-300D Mini from NTE is the smallest and cheapest heat gun on our list. However, despite its size and price many heat gun reviews still list it as one of the best in the market. Although it does not produce a lot of heat the fact that it provides more than enough for small projects is what makes it a favorite of most DIY enthusiasts.
This comfortable and lightweight heat gun features a two speed and temperature settings (low and high) that make it possible to choose the heat that you want and unlike most other heat guns it has a quiet operation. Being one of the most silent guns in the market sometimes it can be hard to tell whether it is running or not.
To make this small gun even more convenient to use the manufacturer gives it a built-in bracket that acts as a self-support and is also ideal for table top use. This gun is perfect for heat shrinking tubing, and also for drying glue and paint.
#9. DeWalt D26950 Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)
DeWalt D26950 is easy to use and the best heat gun for removing paint thanks to its large temperature range. This gun is corded, and DeWalt designs it for an efficient but very safe operation and is usable for a variety of applications. The variable temperature control that it provides also helps to ensure that the heat is always right for your project.
With a rating of 1550 Watts, the motor on this unit is the most powerful on our list. It can heat between 120 and 1100 degrees and hence give you a wide temperature range for various applications. Controlling the temperature is also easy as it has a large knob for this.
In addition to the wide temperature range, this unit also comes with a built-in overload protection that will always shut down the heating element to prevent the heat gun from burning up. The comfort grip, built-in hang ring and the fact that it comes with both a fishtail surface and cone nozzles also help to make this one of the best heat guns you can get anywhere.
Lastly, DeWalt D26950 weighs 2.1 pounds, and it comes with a 10-foot long power cord, and the company backs it with a 3-year limited warranty.
#10. ABN Mini Heat Gun
Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)
This mini heat Gun by ABN is very handy when you need to do some embossing, dry paint, glue or fabrics and also for heat shrinking tubing. And so despite its small size, there are almost countless things that you can use it for at home.
ABN Mini has a 300-Watt motor that provides it with enough power for your small projects and everyday activities. It is 95 inches long and 2 inches wide, and so you can handle it with one hand easily and for an extended period without developing arm fatigue. Also, it has a safety shield built in that ensures that the heat nozzle will not burn anything it might touch.
Finally, the ABN Mini also has a self-supporting bracket for tabletop use and 65-inch long power cord.
Things to Consider When Buying a Heat Gun
In your search for a heat gun to help you complete your DIY projects, there are some vital things that you should consider to ensure that you get something that will fulfill all your needs.
#1. Temperature Output
Temperature output is one of the main differences between the heat guns in the market. The temperature that the gun can produce is vital because it determines how suitable it will be for your projects. And when it comes to the heat output, the two main options are a dual temperature gun and the variable one.
A dual temperature is the most basic, and it will allow you to vary the temperature between high and low but you cannot set it at anything between the two. For the variable heat gun, you have a broad range of temperature setting and most will have heat settings that range between 140 degrees to 1,040 degrees.
#2. Air Flow Speed
The speed with which the hot air flows out of the gun is also an important factor that you need to consider. Most heat guns will have a fan that allows you to choose from 2 or 3 settings so that you can control the speed of the hot air. It is important to know that different types of jobs will require different hot air flows. For example, drying paint requires minimal heat while working on plastics will need the highest setting.
#3. Nozzles
A quality heat gun should have different types and sizes of nozzles for various purposes. For example, a reducer nozzle is a perfect choice when trying to concentrate the heat to a particular location while the reflector nozzle is ideal for distributing it into a wide area like when working on plastic or copper pipes. Also, when you want to strip paint, you will need to be careful to ensure that you do not crack your windows and so a glass protector nozzle will be the right choice.
#4. The Brands
Some brands will always feature in most heat gun reviews, and so you cannot ignore brand when shopping for yours. Although brand does not always guarantee quality, some of the leading heat gun brands almost always produce high-quality products.
Going for a reputable brand will give you some sense of assurance that you are getting a high-quality product. Some of these leading brands include Black & Decker, Milwaukee, Wagner, Craftsman, DeWalt, and Master.
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Last Updated on February 12, 2020 by